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Vincent Colter's 
REPORT 

TO THE 

UNION LEAGUE CLUB, 

^ ON THE 

RECEPTION AND CARE 

IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK. 



OF THE 



SOLDIERS 

Returning from the War. 



TJisrioisr LE^auE club 

OF NEW YORK 



REPORT 



OF 



VINCENT COLTER 



ON THE 



RECEPTJOI AND CARE 

OF THE 

SOLDIERS RETURNING 

FROM THE WAR. 



P R E S K IV T E n S »•'. P T K I»I li F, R I 4 f h , I 8 H 5 . 



oij"cj:o-£3:oxjse, iJisriojsr sqtj.a.i=le. 
No. 26 East Seventeenth Street. 

18(i5. 



At the regular monthly meeting of the Club for September, Vice- 
President Peter Coopkr, Es(|., in tiie chair. 

On motion of Mr. Jackson S. Schultz, of the committee appointed 
to care for the returning soldiers, Mr. Vincent Colyer was called 
upon to read a report of his work as State Agent, with which the 
committee had co-operated. 

After the report had been read, John Jay, Esq., offered the follow- 
ing resolution, which was unanimously adopted : 

"Besolved, That this club has listened with great interest to the statistics of Col- 
onel Colter's report, and return their sincere thanks to Colonel Colter for 
the vigilant fidelity and admirable management with which he has fulfilled 
the duties of state agent, and expended the funds supplied by the liberality 
of our citizens in welcoming our returned soldiers.' ' 

On motion of Mr. J. Cabot Ward, it was resolved that Mr. Col- 
yer'.s report be accepted, and printed for the use of the members. 






O. A. Whitkhobnb, Pbiktbb, 119 Fultom and 42 Amm Sts 



REPORT. 



Gentlemen : 

Through the earnest recommendation of the Union League 
Club, with letters from Young Men's Republican Union, 
Artists' Fund Society, Lieut.-General Winfield Scott, Major 
Generals Burnside, Foster and McClellan, Hon. Roscoe 
Conckling, Horace Greeley, Benj. F. Manierre, Rev. Stephen 
H. Tyng, D. D., Henry Ward Beecher, George WilHam Curtis, 
Sydney A. Gay, and others, I was appointed by His Excellency, 
Superintendent of the New York States Soldiers' Depot in 
New York City. 

Organization of Institution. 

This institution was established in May, 1863, under an act 
of the Legislature of that year, renewed in 1865, to provide for 
the sick, disabled, discharged, or furloughed soldiers of the 
State of New York ; and was intended as a temporary home or 
lodging place, for soldiers passing through, or remaining in the 
city. The U. S. Government, after witnessing its successful 
working, agreed to furnish rations, ambulance conveyance to 
and from the Depot, with stores and furniture for the Hospital ; 
on condition that the soldiers of the United States, from any 
State in the Union, should be cared for. This was cheerfully 
acceeded to, and so the Depot provided for the Union Soldiers 
from all the States. 

Description of Depot. 

The Depot is located 50 and 52 Howard, corner of Mercer 
Street. There are two buildings, forming the letter L. On 
the Howard Street side, in the basement, is a spacious kitchen, 
with provision and meat vault. Care is taken to keep this 



place as clean as an establishment of this sort can be, and 
there is not the least offensive smell arising from either the 
cooking-ranges or the vaults beneath the sidewalk, where the 
meat, etc., is kept. It is well lighted, and a gradual current of 
air is permitted to pass in through gratings upon tlie outside. 
On the next floor, level with the sidewalk, is the dining- 
room, containing the usual long tables, plate-pantry, carving- 
room, etc. There are two sets of cooks and waiters, who go 
on duty, day and night and Soldiers arriving here at midnight 
are thus sure oi' a good meal, besides a good bed in which to 
sleep. 

On the second floor is the Superintendent's office, the reading- 
room and library. The vv-alls of this large room (50 by 80 feet) 
are decorated with oil paintings, choice engravings, mostly 
representing some incident or battle scene of the war ; Avhile 
vases with gold fish ; flowers in pots ; canary birds, etc., enliven 
the scene and give it a home like look. This floor is also occu- 
pied Sundays for religious purposes, when it is formed into a 
chapel by the introduction of a movable pulpit. On every 
Sabbath afternoon, a large audience usually assembles here, 
both of soldiers and civilians. 

On the third floor is the general sleeping-chamber, containing 
ninety beds, all as clean and comfortable as possible. 

Above this, on the fourth floor, is situated the hospital, and 
adjoining it the doctor's office. The soldiers here are well 
cared for — experienced nurses being close to the bed-side of 
each. The room is kept cool, and a gentle current of air 
allowed to pass in and out. There are likewise ninety beds in 
this apartment. 

On the top floor, called the dormitory, although not so in the 
literal meaning of that word, are upward of sixty more beds, 
a laundry, store-room, station-agent's room, etc. 

On the Mei'ccr-street side, which is at present the entrance 
for the soldi(;rs, wc find a desk with railing in front. Here 
there is always a station-agent, who gives such infoimation as 
those in uniform may ask ; makes them ac([uainted with the 
time of arrival and departure of railway-trains, steamboats, etc. 
It is the duty of this agent to be at the rail road and steamboat 
stations on tlie arrival ol" every important train, to conduct the 



soldiers to the Depot and protect them from the sharpers. 
When a soldier makes his way to the building, he goes to a 
small office, just back of this station-agents' desk, gives his 
name, company and regiment. He next passes his baggage 
into the window of an adjoining room, and receives a check 
therefor. After this is done — and it does not occupy but a 
few seconds of time — the soldier files off into a bath and wash 
room, with barber's shop, water-closets, etc., attached. Here 
he refreshes himself, and at leisure can walk up stairs to read 
or rest, and go to bed if he chooses, or pass out into the dining- 
room, and get a good hearty meal. If he is sick and wounded, 
he is carried on a hoistway platform, comfortably seated in a 
chair, direct to the hospital on the fourth floor.. 

The soldiers are all furnished with meals, lodgings 
medical attendance, and ambulance conveyance, at all times, 
free of charge, upon presentation of their furlough, or discharge 
papers. All that is required of those domiciled here, is 
good behavior. They are, for the time being, guests of the 
State of New York. No loud noise, quarreling or profane 
language, is allowed. 

Reforms Introduced. 

On commencing my duties as Superintendent, the con- 
tractor for the Ambulance Conveyance, Me. James E. Libbey, 
was to receive twenty five cents, for each disabled soldier 
carried, and none other than " sick, or disabled," were 
allowed to ride, by the Government contract ; the Superin- 
tendent's certificate, under oath, being the voucher required. 
Many of the soldiers, as soon as they learned what it was that 
entitled them to a ride, became suddenly " sick " as soon as 
they saw the Ambulance, and on their arrival at the Depot it 
was found that the ride had effected a marvelous cure, and 
they got well immediately. Confining the privilege to those 
only who were disabled, before they saw the ambulance, it was 
found that the number left was so small that Mr. Libbey declared 
it would not pay, and gave up the contract. Brevet-Brig.- 
General Van Vlibt, the Quartermaster in chief, for the De- 
partment, being applied to in the emergency, supplied a vehicle 



with which the most of the sick were cared for, and hacks were 
hired for the rest, at a great saving to the Government. 

Sohliers, on their arrival, were given a ticket of leave to 
stay, the time fixed by their own statement of reasons therefor. 
This ticket, shown to the steward in charge of Dormitory on 
retiring to rest, entitled the soldier to a bed ; and to the Com- 
missary Clerk in the dining hall, to a meal. The meals were 
furnished by contract by Mr. S. 0. Baker, and were of a quality 
superior to those furnished by most " army contractors." The 
accounts of Mr. Baker were made up from the time as stated 
on the books of the receiving clerks, corresponding with that 
marked on these tickets held by the soldiers. 

As many of the soldiers visited their homes, or dined at their 
own expense, the contractors, by this arrangement, received 
credit, and the Government paid for many meals never served. 
I changed this, and a meal ticket was furnished the soldier and 
given up to the contractor as a voucher, for each meal. This 
largely reduced the commissary's account against the govern- 
ment. 

In these meal tickets were printed the words — " All soldiers, 
while in this house, are the guests of the State and should be 
treated, and are expected to conduct themselves accordingly." 

Sabbath Services. 

The services on Sunday had been conducted during the first 
six months of the establishment of the Depot, by the New 
York Young Men's Christian Association, without cost to the 
State. As Chairman of the Army Committee of that Society, 
these meetings were under my charge. Believing the war for 
the suppression of the rebellion to be a righteous and just one, 
and that slavery, the cause of the rebellion, was a crime both 
against God and man, our prayers were always hearty both for 
the success of our armies and the liberation of the oppressed. 
At the end of these six months, on coming to conduct these 
services one Sunday afternoon in November, 1863, the organist 
and singers all being present, our labors were summarily 
brought to a close, by our finding the desk occupied by 
another speaker and the singing conducted by other voices. 



no notice of any sort having been sent to us of the change. 
An apology was afterwards sent to the society for this change, 
and the meetings were, from that time forward, conducted 
by a clergyman of the Dutch Reformed Church. This 
gentleman continued the services thereafter, with great 
acceptance to his friends, up to the time of my appointment, 
but, as the soldiers, for whose benefit the institution was found- 
ed, and these meetings were established, belonged to different 
religious sects and denominations, I thought it more consistent 
with iair dealing, that the pulpit should be thrown open to 
the pastors of the various churches, and for this reason on my 
appointment as Superintendent, I w^'ote a note to this gentle. 
mai], briefly notifying him of the changes in the conduct 
of the meetings, and I again restored them to the super- 
vision of the Young Men's Christian Association of this city, 
taking care to see that none but loyal and patriotic clergymen 
should fill the speaker's desk. A petition signed by some ten or 
fifteen city pastors, on behalf of the gentleman, having been 
laid before His Excellency, at his request I took the Sabbath 
meetings out of the hands of the Young Men's Association, and 
invited the different clergymen directly in the name of the 
Governor. 

The following is the list of clergymen, and the denominations to 
which they belonged, who preached in response to this invita- 
tion ; and among them will be found the names of some of the 
most patriotic and eloquent of the pulpit orators of this 
country. They received no pay, and the only cost to the State 
was a trifling sum for carriage hire and for a brief advertise- 
ment. I desire here humbly to record my gratitude to those 
reverend gentlemen for their distinguished services. The 
large hall was usually filled with soldiers and crowds of citizens, 
who, attracted by the fame of the speakers, were profited by 
these discourses, and made acquainted with the Institution. 

March 10, Rev. Howard Crosby, D. D. 
" 17, Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, D.D., Episcopal. 
26, " T. Rawlston Smith, Presbyterian. 
April 2, " W. E. Smith, Methodist. 

9, " Mancius S. Hutton, D. D., Dutch Reformed. 



April 16, " H. G. Weston, D. D., Baptist. 

19, Burial Service on death of President, Rev. W. 

Hawkins, Episcopal. 
2;}, Rev. Alexander H. Vinton, D. I)., Episcopal. 
30, •' W. G. Hawkins, Episcopal. 
May 7, " Dr. Burchard, Presbyterian. 
14, " Sydney A. Corey, Baptist. 
21, " H. G. Fox, Methodist. 
28, " E. N. Chapin, I). I)., Universalist. 
.Im.c 1,' Fast day for death of President. Stephen H.^ 
Tyng,"d. I). Sermon, " Victory and Re-Union." 
" 4, Rev. T. Bottoms, Methodist. 

11, " Mathew Hale Smith, D. D. 
" 18, " Mr. Stephenson, Missionary. 

25, •' S. Williams, of Ohio, Presbyterian, 
.luly 2, " C. J. Warren, Methodist. 
•.), " C. J. Warren, Methodist. 
" 16, " L. H. King, Methodist. 
" 23, '■ E. Richardson, Chaplain U. S. A. 
" 30, " R. H. Bourne, Chaplain City Prison. 
" 30, " Mr. John Cochran, Layman. 
Aug-. 6, " W. H. Garland, Chaplain U. S. A. 
" 20, " Mr. Lockwood, Methodist. 

The Choir, which was a very fine one, also gave their 
services gratuitously, and the soldiers will long remember witli 
gratitude, Mrs. Mary McComber, Miss Urania McComber, Mr. 
Johnson, and Mr. Tibballs. 

A bible class, conducted by the superintendent, at which 
the majority of the soldiers in the house attended, was hehl 
every Sunday morning. In the month of August, morning and 
evening prayers Avere conducted daily. 

In order to accommodate the large audiences which assem- 
l)led at these Sabbath meetings, as well as to provide moi-e sit- 
ting room for the soldiers on week days, I gave up my private 
room and reduced the size of the " Superintendent's Office" to a 
sufficient and more reasonable space within a low railing in one 
corner, removing the wooden partitions which obstructed the 
light and air, and throwing the whole space into the large hall. 



A first class piano and good organ were provided, and several 
quartette clubs, under the direction of Mr. John B. Ketchum 
and others, frequently gave charming concerts of choice music. 
Two Exhibitions with the magic lantern, a compound Solar 
Microscope, illustrating the marvelous beauty of minute crea- 
tion, were given by Prof. Starr. Interesting lectures, one on 
Arizona Territory, by its Secretary, Richard C. McCormick, 
Es(i., describing its advantages to soldiers as a home, and two 
by H. H. Geer, hite Chaplain One Hundred and Eighty-third 
Ohio, from Wilmington, N. C, having charge of the footless 
prisoners from Andersonville, G-a., were given. 

Entertainments of a novel and mixed character, like the one 
described in the Tribune of April 7th, were sometimes gotten 
up : 

Nkvv York Statk Sjldikiis' D.^:pot. — The guests of the Soldiers' Home, Nos. 
50 and 52 Howard street, had a very iuterestiog and stirring entertainment on 
Wednesday night at their rooms. The refugee band, composed of members of 
the bands of the 1st South Carolina Infantry and the 1st South Carolina Artillery, 
gave a concert of very fine instrumental music, which was varied by singing 
'■ The Star Spangled Banner,'' ' My Country, 'tis of thee," "The Battle Cry of 
Freedom." &c., by the large audience of soldiers and citizens [wesent. The 
exercises were further enlivened by spirited and effective addresses by Col. 
Colter, the Superintendent ; William ORL.iND Bourne, editor of TTie 
Soldiers^ Frk)id ; the Rev. Mr. Allkn' of Northborough, Mass. ; the Rev. Mr. x\ykk, 
Capt. A. L. Waller of the 78th Ohio, and Mr. Tibbals, who gave a brief, 
humorous poem on the recent rout of the Rebels. The band is under the care 
of Mr. Kripschmbr, the leader, and is composed of Germans, who are on their 
way to Ohio to enlist in an Ohio regimeat, who are going to South Carolina in a 
few days. Miss MoRiARry, a grand niece of John Hancock, led the vocal music, 
aid^d by Mr. Tibbals. The evening passed with great satisfaction to the company 
and closed with Old Hundred, followed by three rousing cheers for the Union. 

Indeed, every thing that could be done to make the Insti- 
tution attractive and home-like to the soldier, and keep them 
away from evil and demoralizing practices, was resorted to. — 
No fees of admission nor collections (with one exception, when 
Rev. Dr. Tyng assisted a poor widow,) were ever taken up on 
these occasions. 

Hovv much these evening entertainments were needed, any one 
could see by visiting the neighborhood where the Depot was 
located. The thousands of soldiers who arrived at our place, 



10 



many of them fresh from the front where they had not seen a 
female for months, and with their pockets filled by the pay- 
master, enabled the keepers of the vile dens of infamy which 
abound in every large city, to offer large rents for the houses 
near by, and obtaining these, soon to fill them with the boys 
in blue and drive a thriving business. Nearly all these brothel 
keepers had an agent, who dressing himself up in the uni- 
form of a soldier, would mingle with the boys and distribute 
the cards of his den. The pocket book of one young soldier, 
whose age could not have been more than 19, — which was 
accidentally left on our desk, exhibited no less than 14 of these 
" Cards." What the " Agent" could not effect the proprietors 
would seek to accomplish by other means. The music of the 
harp, violin, accordeon and piano, would be heard through the 
open window ; the richly gilded and decorated Bar ; the 
savory smell of meats and viands cooking, for the title " Res- 
taurant," was often used to disguise a worse business ; the 
richly dressed and highly perfumed young lad}^ ; all of these 
and more were spread before the young and inexperinced 
soldier. Their victims could be often seen. In the morning 
on the outside sill, as the door would be opened, they wcmld 
be found stupified with liquor, their pockets turned inside out, 
money, papers and honor, all gone. Sometimes covered with 
cuts and bruises, they lay sleeping in their own clotted gore. 
One youth of this sort, I remember, who had arrived in the city 
only two days before, on his first furlough in two years from 
the Army, we took up stairs. He was so much cut and injur- 
ed, and so ashamed, he spent the whole thirty days of his fur- 
lough in our hospital, and went back to the ranks without 
visiting his family, for which he set out. They took from him 
over eighty dollars, all the money he had. Our policeman, 
Mr. Jos. Halstead, a most efficient and faithful n)an, rescued 
many of them froni the sharpers — and recovered, restored and 
saved considerable money which would otherwise have been 
lost. Sometimes, wlien we found the soldier had his pay in his 
pocket on his way home, already half drunk, and entering 
one of these dens, we would follow him, take him out by force, 
bring him into the Depot take away his money in the presence 
of witnesses, count it, put it away in the safe, and when he got 



11 



sober, ascertaining^ the address of his family, go with him to 
the express oflfice and with his consent forward it to them, 
leaving him enongh to pay his fare home and follow on after. 
We had several such cases. 

Many ways of cheating the men were constantly practiced, 
and with the ntmost vigilance we could hardly stop it ; backed 
up as the rascals were by some of the judges elected by the 
people. A case reported in the Evening Post, of May 3 1st, in 
which Mr. Kennedy, our energetic and faithful Superintend- 
ent of the Police, was arrested for contempt of court, for not 
immediately letting one of these rascals go, is as follows : 

" CHEATING SOLDIERS. 

THE ARREST OF MR. KENNEDY — CASE OF COLONEL COLYER AND THE JEWISH 

CLOTHIER ALKERS. 

. The tact of the arrest of Mr. Kennedy on a writ of contempt, issned by Judge 
Cardozo, and his subsequent return, has already been published. The facts in 
relation to the arrest of Morris ALKERs.in whose behalf the writ of Aa?>eas corpus 
was issued, were not published. It appears that Alkers keeps a clothing store 
in Canal street. On several occasions he has visited the Soldiers' Depot corner 
of Howard and Mercer streets, where he distributed his business cards, which 
had a Masonic emblem at the top. 

By this means he secured a number of customers among the soldiers, and the 
Superintendent says he regularly cheated those dealing with him. One week 
ago last Sunday afternoon, Alkers visited the depot during divine service, and 
persuaded eight Western men from General Sherman's army to visit his store, 
where he sold each of them a suit of clothes, ranging from fifty to one hundred 
and twenty dollars each. Three or four of these men went west the same 
evening. The next morning one of the others showed his clothing to the officers 
in the depot, and was told that he had been grossly deceived. 

He was advised to go to Brooks Brothers and learn the value of the goods, 
which he did. He was informed that a suit of clothing for which he had paid 
eighty dollars could be bought for thirty dollars. Colonel Colyer then made 
the facts known to Superintendent Kennkdy, who detailed a detective to make 
the man refund the money. Alkkrs did pay the soldier fifty dollars, retaining 
thirty dollars for the clothing. The other soldiers who had remained in the city, 
learning of the success of their comrade, visited the merchant and received more 
than half of the money they had originally paid. To one of the men Alkers gave 
two suits of clothing rather than refund any money. 

At the request of the Colonel, Superintendent Kennedy detailed an officer 
at the depot, with instructions to prevent Alkers from visiting the building and 
distributing any of his cards, or enticing the men into his store. He persisted, 
however, and yesterday was arrested while hawking his cards in front of the 
depot in Howard street, and not in front of his own store, as was previously 
reported.'' 



12 



Escaped Union Prisoners from Andersonville and Else- 
where. 

About tlie middle of March, larj^e numbers of escaped 
or exchanged Union prisoners bc^an to arrive in the City. — 

Tiiey were undei- the charge ol' the Provost Marshal, and 
were (piartered at the Kroome St. Barracks. A few of them 
having;- strayed away from the others, wei-e taken care of at our 
Depot. On reporting- them to the Marshal, they begged him 
so warmly to allow them to remain with us, that the following 
correspondence ensued : 

Offick a. a. Provost-Marshal-Gen eral, I 

Southern Division of ]^ew-York, ^ 

New- York, March 14. 18S5. ) 

<'ol. Vi7icent Colyer, Superintenihnt iV. Y. Soldie7's Depot : 

Colonel: I am directed by Maj. R. A. Dodge, A. A. Provost-Marslial-Geneial, 
to ask you if it would not be better that some arrangement be made, by which 
all escaped Union prisoner.- arriving in this city, could be received by your 
department instead of going to the Broouie-street Barracks. 

Many of these men are sick, and the accommodations at the Barracks are not 
adapted for them at all. 

Could this arrangeniCTit be etfected, the men could be very easily forwarded 
to Camp Parole Annapolis. Mil., after allowing them to remain for a day or two 
in this city. 1 am, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

H. B. BROWNSON, Assistant Adjutant-General. 



New-Yohk State Soldiers' Dei'ot, I 
March 14, 1865. j 

Capt. II. B. Brownsnn, Assislaid AdjukuU General . • 

Captain: In reply to your communication of this day, asking me if we would 
not receive all the escaped Union prisoners at our depot, instead of having them 
go to the Brooniostreet Barracks. I have to say that you could not possibly give 
the officers and employes of this institution a work that they would esteem a 
higher favor. 

To receive these patient aiul suffering martyrs, after all the brutalities they 
have undergone at tiie hands of our maligant foes, and all the valor they have 
shown against our common enemy ; to relieve their distress and hospitably 
entertain them as the guests of the great State of New York, will be a privilege 
in which all patriotic citizens would wish to participate. 

We can easily accommodate five hundred at a time, and the number will be 
limited only by the capacity of the building and a considerate regard for the 
comfort of the men. 

Please inform Maj. Dodge of my reply, aiul believe me. Captain, very truly 
yours. Vincent Coi.ver, Superintendent. 



13 



The result of these communications was, that hirge numbers 
of these men took up their quarters with us, while awaiting 
their final payment and discharge. 

The cruelties to which they had been subjected, were 
plainly to be seen in their emaciated forms and hollow checks. 
Many were hardly able to walk, and some died immediately on 
their arrival. 



Treatment of Colored Soldiers. 

No distinction was made as to the treatment of the soldiers 
stopping with us in consequence of their color. If a colored 
man behaved himself improperly, he was put out; if he conduct- 
ed himself with propriety, he received the same attentions 
as the white soldiers. My predecessors made the colored 
soldiers eat at a separate table, down in the kitchen, and if he 
slept in the building at all, it was either in the kitchen or bath 
rooms, or on the basement floor. I gave him a place at the 
table in the dining hall with the others. If he preferred to eat 
by himself, he was free to do so. If a white man did not like 
to eat at the table with him he could take another seat. The same 
rule was observed in the Dormitory in lodging. At first it came a 
little strange to the em{)loyees, more because they had not 
been used to such arrangements, than from any vital objections 
to the practice. But with the soldiers, white or colored, 1 
never heard a word or murinur of objection. We had not 
many colored soldiers however, staying with us, the majority 
of free colored men preferring to live with their families. 



Relief of Wrecked Soldiers. 

Soldiers sometimes arrived at the Depot in a state of com- 
plete destitution. An instance of this kind occurred in the 
case of the wreck of the "Steamer General Lyon, which was 
burned at sea off Cape Hatterus, Friday, March 31, by which, 
over 550 soldiers and their families were lost. Eight of the 
survivors, picked up by the steamer Gen Sedgwick, and brought 
to this port, came to us and were provided with clothing and 



14 



every thing needful. After remaining for several days, they 
were forwarded to their homes in different parts of the country, 
free of charge. The U. S. Sanitary Commission with great 
liberality, furnished gratuitously, all the clothing we required 
in these cases and thousands of others. 

Relief op a Soldier's Family in Distress. 

In the early part of March, a soldier belonging to one of our 
N. Y. State Regiments, died in our hospital, leaving his family 
in circumstances peculiarly distressing. I made the following 
appeal in the papers on their behalf, and received in response 
the sum of $324.63, from parties whose names are given among 
the Donors at the end of this Report : 

New-York State Soldiers' Depot, ) 
Nos. 50 AND 52 HowARD-ST., New- York City. >■ 
March, 15, 1865. ) 
To tlie Editor of the New York Times : 

Yesterday, there died at this depot a fiirloughed soldier, belonging to a New- 
York regiment, who leaves a widow and six small children, four of whom are 
sick and one not expected to recover, in perfectly destitute circumstances. 

Are there not among your fair readers some, who looking around upon their 
own happy families, can spare a dollar to lighten the desolateness that has 
settled upon this poor widow's household ? 

I will thankfully acknowledge the receipt of any contributions that may be 
sent to my care. 

Vincent Colter, Superintendent. 

The money was placed in the hands of Mrs. G. T. M. Davis, 
the Secretary of our Ladies' Visiting Committee, who spent one 
hundred and twenty-four dollars sixty-three cents for rent, food 
and clothing for the motlier, and placed two of the children in 
the Patriot Orphan Home, giving two hundred dollars for 
their especial care. Two of the children died at the time from 
small-pox. 

Among the many pleasant notes received in response to this 
appeal was the following : 

Brooklyn, March, 13, 1865. 
My Dear Sir: I send 25 cents for the soldier's children you speak about in to- 
day's Triblne. I am a soldier's son ; my father was killed at Fort Fisher ; my 
mother died a long time ago, and I live with my grandmother, and I am nine 
years old. Yours respectfully, Geoe(}e S. Hog<;. 



15 



Collecting the Mourning Draperies. 

Towards the close of the month, after the assassination of the 
President, observing the large quantity of costly drapery with 
which the merchants and citizens of New York had decorated 
their stores and residences, it occurred to me that as much of 
it (after its first use was concluded) would probably be wasted, 
it would be of much value to the poor widows and orphans of 
the soldiers. 

Acting upon this idea, I issued the following notice in the 
newspapers, and in circulars addressed to the occupants of all 
buildings where a liberal display was observable : 



New York State Soldiers' Depot, 
50 AND 52 Howard Street, New York City, 
May 11. 1865. 

7b the Editors of the Evening Post : 

Ah the " thirty days '' time has now nearly expired when most of our cititzens 
will remove the mourning drapery from their stores and dwellings, will you per- 
mit me to suggest that they can apply it to a use in harmony with the object for 
which it was originally procured, by sending it to this depot to be used for 
garments for the widows and orphans of New York soldiers. Our efficient 
Ladies' Committee will see that it is judiciously disposed of. 

If not convenient for the owners to send it, our porters will gladly call for it, 
and its receipt will be acknowledged at any place in this city or Brooklyn, 
by forwarding the address to 

Respectfully yours, 

Vincent Colter, Superintendent. 



An inspection of the goods obtained, exhibited in a marked 
manner the disregard for cost animating the purchasers — costly 
crape, bombazine, alapacca, and quantities of " silesia" are 
found. Over 12,000 yards, or $2,000 worth was obtained. 
The Broadway Bank, New York Club, Messrs. H. B. Claflin 
& Co., Bank of America, Trinity Church and others are among 
the contributors, whose names are inserted in the " Donors 
List" at back of this Report. The goods were packed in parcels 
containing enough for two or three dresses, and over three 
hundred soldiers' widows received the benefit of this enter- 
prise. 



16 



Visit of Governor Fenton. 

On Satiirdav, the 2(ltli of May, His Excellency paid a visit 
to the Depot, which it> thus described by the Reporter of the 
N. Y. Times of the 21st : 

Yesterday morning Gov. Fenton visited the New-York State 
Agency for soldiers, corner of Howard and Mercer streets, and the 
occasion was one of considerable interest to those connected with 
that beneficent institution, the inmates and the visitors. Contrary 
to the usual custom in such cases, very little pi-eparation was made 
for the tour of inspection and domiciliary visit of the worthy Gov- 
ernor, it being the object of Col. Colyek, the indefatigable Superin- 
tendent of the depot, to show the Governor the actual working of 
the institution and not to exhibit it in mere holiday dress. 

Notwithstanding the absence of extra preparation, the appearance 
of the State Agency presented that admirable state of cleanliness 
and neatness so observable to all regular visitors. The soldiers 
now remaining in the depot were at an early hour in readiness for 
the long-expected visit of the Governor of the State, and the gallant 
boys, heioes of a hundred lights : displayed more trepidation and 
nervousness at the peaceful und Iriendly visit of the executive head 
of their native State than they had been wont to do while waiting 
the fierce onslaught of the rebel foe. 

Shortly before 11 A.M. Gov. Fenton arrived at the depot, accom- 
panied by Victor M. Rice, Superintendent of Public Instruction, 
and was received by the State Agent. After a tour of observation 
through the various departments of the building, and expressing 
himself highly gratified at tlie apparent prosperity and suc- 
cessful operation of the institution, the Governor was intro- 
duced to the main hall, where all of the inmates who could 
walk had assembled to hear the Governor address a few words to 
them. Col. Colyer, in introducing the Governor to the men, spoke 
of the great interest heretofore displayed by Gov. Fenton in the 
welfare of the soldiers of New York State, and also made allusion 
to the great want of a Soidiers' Home or Asylum — one large enough 
to be of some practical use and benefit He spoke, also, of the 
great work the various agencies sliould have to perform shortly, in 
caring for tlie inmiense number of gallant heroes about returning 
to their homes and lainilios, and he hoped that the resources of the 
New-Y'^ork Depot would l.)e augmented to a degree in keeping with 
the demand. 

The Governor then stepped upon the platform, and gathering the 
little knot of war-stained and battlu-scarred veterans close around 
him, he addressed the-m in a few simple but heartfelt sentences. 
He thanked the soidiers for their hearty reception of himself, 
and in turn, gave them a warm welcome to the comforts and 
conveniences of tlie depot, jirovided, as it was, by the Stat(i for 



tliem while passing through the city, cheering them on their way 
to the seat of war, succoring the sick and weary when returning 
from the hot plains of the South, and at all times giving aid and 
counsel to the brave defenders of our country. He spoke of the 
exertions of the State, and said : We have followed you beyond 
the Mississippi, from Chattanooga to the Gulf, through the swamps 
of Florida to the very gates of Richmond, from Virginia to Georgia 
and so on to the very Territories, the State of New-York lias not 
been unmindful of her sons. He said that the debt owed by the 
country to the soldiers could never be paid, and told the men that 
they had fought tliis great battle for the integrity of the country ; 
that they had sustained the flag of the Union, and had made the 
doctrines of the Declaration of Independence to live again, and 
now they would endure to the end of time. You have, said he, 
perpetuated the free institutions of the country, and your noble 
deeds in the cause of liberty will live in fiery letters in the page of 
history. You are going to your homes, and no longer will you be 
called upon to fight the good fight or suifer for the right. He 
wanted to ask the boys one question. What would be their con- 
duct now that they were about to throw oif their uniform, and 
abandon the weapons of dreadful war for the implements of peace ? 
Would tliey resume the peaceful ways of civil life as well ? He 
was well assured of the fact that they would prove to the world 
that American soldiers could be peaceful citizens. The Governor, 
in concluding his remarks, congratulated the soldiers upon the 
comforts they enjoyed in the depot, and paid a high compliment to 
Col. CoLYER and his assistants upon their successful and admirable 
discharge of the of the duties assigned to them. 

Three hearty and vociferous cheers, and a " tiger," were then 
given, as only soldiers can give them, for Gov. Fenton, who 
responded by asking the "boys " to come forward and shake hands 
with him. As the gallant fellows filed past, Mr. Fenton addressed 
a few cheering words to each. The sight was an interesting one. 
Many of the men were hobbling upon crutches, others had lost their 
arms, and all evinced upon their persons some traces of the perils 
and dangers of the battlefield. After partaking of a luncheon, the 
Governor was compelled to leave as engagements were pressing up- 
on him. 



Paying off the Soldiers near their Homes. 

A telegram from Washington, appearing in the daily 
papers on the 15th of May, that " all the soldiers of the State 
of New York, were to be mustered out and paid off in Albany," 
induced me on the 17th of May, to write to the editors of 
our daily papers the following letter : 



18 



To the Editor of the New-York Tribune : 

Sir : Will you warn the soldiers who are now being discharg-ed, 
and receiving, in many cases, a large amount of money for back 
l)ay and bounty, to be on their guard against the sharpers ? The 
scoundrels who were so active in swindling the men out of their 
bounties a few months since, are now more busy than ever — lying 
in wait for their victims, at every corner, and in every guise. 

Yesterday, in this neighborhood, five soldiers from New-Orleans 
were induced, b}' some Jew clothiers, to pay $80 and $100 each, 
for suits of clothes not worth $30. The day before, another soldier 
was made drunk, and robl)ed of his pocket-book and its contents, 
by the prostitutes and their "pimps." On Friday the thief appeared 
in the guise of a lame soldier, who helped himself to his fellow- 
soldier's purse while he was buying his railroad ticket. 

Nearly every day we have cases of this sort, and the police are 
kept constantly on the alert (and we are glad to say successfully.) 

It is to be hoped that the government will adopt the plan of 
paying off each regiment, or company, at the place where it was 
mustered in — that is, as near to the homes of the soldiers as possible 
It will not cost any more, for the men will receive transportation 
there, whether they go singly or in companies, and by paying them 
close to their homes, their families will get much more of the money. 

As neai'ly a million of men will be thrown out of employmet 
by this disbanding of the army, it will be self-evident to every 
thinking soldier how prudent he should be in husbanding the ready 
cash which he will now receive, for the last time, from the gov- 
ernment. 

Very respectfully yours, 

Vincent Colyer. 
New York City, May 15, 1864. 

I pressed this appeal upon the attention of Gov. Fenton 
with much earnestness, and, on his visit to Washington, where 
he went through the hospitals to cheer up the brave men who 
were there, he took the matter in hand, and we had the follow- 
ing as the result. 



THE NEW-YORK TROOPS. 

" Governor Fenton has succeeded in procuring from the War 
Department an order that the New- York regiments shall be mustered 
out and paid at the following i)laces : 

New-York city, Foughkecpsie, Newburg, Albany, Flattsburgh, 
Ogdensburgh, Sackelt's Harbor or VVatertown, Auburn, Syracuse, 
Rochester, liuflalo, Elmira, and Binghamton or Norwich." 



19 



The effect of this arrangement was, to put thousands of dol- 
lars into the hands of the long suffering wives and families of 
the soldiers, as well as to distribute the money in counties 
where the benefit would in other ways come back to the men. 



Wakning to Soldiers Printed and Distributed. 

The war being ended, and our armies about to be disbanded ; 
the grand review of both the Army of the Potomac, and the 
great Army of the West, under General Sherman, before the 
President," Cabinet and most of the distinguished generals 
at Washington, seemed a most favourable opportunity 
to inform the soldiers, (many of whom would pass 
through the city of New York), of the existence, character, 
and location of our Depot, and to give them a timely warning 
of the swindling to which they would be exposed in that city. 
Accordingly, I caused to be printed 20,000 of our Institute 
Cards, with the following warning from the N. Y. Times, of 
May 21, printed on the back : 

•' Among the many discharged and disabled soldiers constantly passing through 
this city on the way to their homes or the hospital, numerous cases have been 
known where unsuspecting and guileless soldiers have been shamefully misled 
and robbed. Sharpers abound in the vicinity of all railroad depots and steam- 
boat landings, on the lookout for discharged soldiers who have their pay with 
them. Bogus ambulances tempt the bewildered veteran, and he is cheated into 
going to places that he would fain avoid, and persuaded into making purchases 
that prove worthless bargains. Soldiers have been gravel> informed that the 
Treasury checks they held were not negotiable, and often these unsuspecting 
men have paid as high as ten per cent, to get the government checks cashed. In 
short, every sort of confidence game and mode of extortion is practiced upon 
them. 

We would recommend all discharged or furloughed soldiers (strangers in Ne\. 
York) to seek out the regularly authorized agents of the New York State Agency, 
who are constantly in attendance upon all trains and steamers, and place them- 
selve under their guidance. At the Soldiers' Depot in Howard Street, they will 
find good accommodations and meals, besides a place of safety for their baggage 
or money, and where all needful and reliable information and advice can be 
gained. Colonel Vincent Colyer, the Superintendent, gives his personal attention 
to the manifold wants and necessities of the soldiers, and none are turned away." 



20 



These I distributed in person, giving small packages of ten 
to the Sergeant of each Company, as they marched up Penn- 
sylvania Avenue. 

The experiment proved a success, hundreds of the soldiers 
appearing at our Depot Avith these Cards in their hands. 



Enlarging the Accommodations. — The Centre Market 
Armories Secured. 

The troops now began to arrive in large numbers — not in 
squads and small companies, as formerly, but in regiments and 
brigades. Attracted by our cards and by the good reputation 
the agency had now attained, the officers of nearly all of these 
regiments applied to us, either by letter or telegraph, for ac- 
commodations. So great was the crowd and so inadequate our 
Depot to lodge and feed them, that one night we had no less 
than three regiments sleeping on the sidewalks and in the 
streets around our agency. Feeling a State pride to take care 
of these troops, who had gained for our common country 
such a glorious victory, without appealing to the general 
government, I applied to the officers of the 8th Regiment, 
Col. Varian, and to Col. Mason of the 6th Regiment, and to 
Col. Tallford, of the 71st N. Y. State National Guard, for the 
use of their armories adjoining each other, over Centre Market^ 
and though at a great inconvenience to themselves, they 
promptly and cheerfully gave their consent. 

These three spacious rooms, together with the depot in How. 
ard Street, would comfortably sleep two thousand iive hundred 
men, and easily provide room to furnish meals to five thousand 
soldiers a day. The location Avas central, being on the corner 
of Grand and Centre Streets, the entrance on Grand street by 
a wide staircase to the rooms, whicli were only two stories from 
the street, yet sufficiently high to readily place the men under 
guard, to protect them from the thieves and sharpers who in- 
fest every place where a soldier can be found. 

Gen. Satterlee, the United States Medical Purveyor of this 
I)e])a]-tment, furnished, under special act of Congress making 



21 



appropriation for sick, disabled and furloiiii^hed soldiers, 1,000 
plates, 1,000 bowls, 1,000 knives and forks, with pitchers, pans, 
&c., enough to set a table for 1,000 men. Capt. Morgan of 
tho'u. S. Quartermaster's Department, and Capt. Moore of the 
Commissionary Department, supplied the rations . 



Strawberry Fund. 

Having heard, while in the army, and lately in conversing 
with the soldiers, the praises of the city of Philadelphia, so often 
gratefully and deservedly sounded, for her generous hospitality 
towards the soldiers while passing througli that city; and know- 
ing that New York City had not been in the least ungenerous— 
though her care of the Army and Navy, had shown itself in 
other ways, I resolved, (D.V.) that she should not be behind in 
this matter also, of hospitally entertaining soldiers. Accord- 
ingly, about the latter part of May, 1 made an appeal to the 
public. The first response received, was from the United 
States Sanitary Commission, who generously voted me a dona- 
tion of one thousand dollars— and the U. S. Christian Com- 
mission, of three hundred dollars. This was followed by others, 
and from that time forward, money came in almost as fast as 
it was required for the purpose. Notice of the arrivals of 
regiments were constantly made through the press, and articles 
calculated to stir up the generous, were from time to time 
inserted. 

The following from the Times of May 30, is introduced to 
show the lively interest the editors took in the movement : 

The Strawberry FuxD.-The greatest success attends the operatioua of the 
now famous strawberry movement, inaugurated by Col. Vincent Colyer, ot the 
New York State Agency. Troops are daily supplied with large quantities of 
this delicious fruit, and the boys seem much pleased at the kind thoughtfulness 
of those who have thus furnished them with a delightful treat, and exhibit an in- 
terest in their welfare. 

Yesterday morning Col. Colyer struck camp at an early hour, and moved his 
forces upon Washington Market at 4 A. M., and shortly after his arrival the 
struo-gle commenced. The State Agent was determined that he would have 
a fuU supply of cherries and strawberries, and with that end in view began a 
thorou-h movement, and with such success that in a few hours he had complete 
possession of Washington Market, the fruit-dealers having surrendered atdiscre- 



22 



tion. This point gained, the process of buying up the fruit was carried on until 
not a strawberry could be got for love or money. The soldier's agent had them 
all. Nowithstanding the loss of the market people was so complete, he estimates 
his loss at nine hundred dollars, and some idea may be gained of the quantily 
of fruit thus secured the soldiers. 

Col. CoLYER visited the barracks at the Battery, and distributed to the Massa- 
chusetts troop-i lying there several cart loads of strawberries, amidst a scene of 
the greatest excitement and uproarious enjoyment. To see these gallant and 
sunburnt boys in the army blue eagerly rush for strawberries, and enthusiasti- 
cally eat the same, was a sight indeed. 

There are about 30,000 more New York troops yet to come under recent or- 
ders, and let us give these brave boys all the pleasure and all the luxury we can 
afltbrd them. Coming out of hot and dusty cars, a capfull of rich and fragrant 
strawberries is just the thing to please and refresh them. The public have an 
energetic, earnest and honest agent to work for them in this matter, and it is to 
be hoped that the " Strawberry Movement" will not be allowed to die out for 
lack of funds. Give the State Agent the means, and he will fnrnish every soldier 
who passes through the city a plenteous feast of ripe and luscious strawberries • 

The following extrp^ct is from a leading editorial of the 
N. Y. Tribune, June 20th, 1865 : 

" The business seems properly to belong to Col Colyer, the State agent, who 
is indefatigable in his (efforts to do all that should be done, and who does not feel 
called upon to confine his attention to New York soldiers, but welcomes all alike. 
But the State makes no provisions for the fruits, vegetables and other little and 
inexpensive additions to the regulation hard-tack and salt meat, which are so 
welcome to the travel-worn men, but make no part of Government rations. A 
very few thousand dollars would be abundant for all these, and their disburse- 
ment may be safely instrustod to the judgment of Col, Coi.yer. The soldier on 
his way home is far more thankful for a good supper, a good lodging and a good 
breakfast than he would be for an empty municipal pageant. 



Among the letters responding were the following : 

New York, June 28tli, 1865. 

To Col. Vincent Golyer : 

Sir : — At a meeting of the committee to provide a thanksgiving 
dinner, half the balance of the funds still in my liands was appro- 
priated to yon for delicacies for oi;r returning soldiers I inclose 
you a check for $645 72, that being the amount, and would at the 
same time express my sympathy with tlie deep interest you liave 
displayed in doing all in your power for them. 

Yours truly, 

Theodore Roosevelt, Treasurer. 



23 



No. 53 Fifth Avenue, June 19th, 1865, 
To Col. Vincent Golyer : 

Dear Sir : — I enclose a check to your order for $250, which you 
will please apply to the purchase of ice, fruit, &c., for the return- 
ing soldiers. Yours very truly 

J. Lenox. 

New York, August 10th, 1865. 
Colond Vincent Colyer : 

Sir : — ^]nclosed is a check for $3,154.87, being 
the portion of the " Hancock Recruiting Committee Fund'' devoted 
to welcoming our soldiers on their return. The committee and 
subscribers united in desiring to make this appropriation, realizing 
not only the pleasure you give the soldiers, but that it is a slight 
evidence of our gratitude to those to whom we owe so much VYith 
my own personal thanks to you for having devoted yourself so 
faithfuly to their welfare, 

I remain, yours truly, 

Theodore Roosevelt, Treasurer 

Up to this date the following N. Y. State regiments were 
received and entertained : 



Date. 


Regiment. 


OP 


D.\TE. 


Eegiment. 


OF 






Men. 








Men. 


June 24 


.51 h New York. 


170 


June 28 


5th New York. 


120 


•' 24 


IGtith 


450 


" 29 


L44tii 




882 


" 26 


I15th 


300 


" 30 


8th 




600 


'• 27 


3(1 


333 


July 1 


73d 




390 


" 27 


.■5th Conn. 


326 


- 1 


93cl 




375 


" 27 


121st New York. 


382 


■> 1 


10th 




520 


•• 27 


1st 


560 


•' 1 


6th 




80 t 




The Hospitals 


Near 


THE City 


Cared 


FOR. 





As the money came in so generously, we turned our atten- 
tion to the soldiers in the hospitals, and wrote to the Medical 
Director regarding the supply of fruit that would be required. 
The following is the correspondence : 

New York City, June 19, 1865. 
Col. W. T. Sloan : 

Colonel : — I have purchased this morning a quantity of straw 
berries for the soldiers in the vicinity of this city. Will you have 
the kindness to inform me if you would care to have some sent to 
either, or all, of the hospitals in and near New York, and how 
many about to each. The quantity is unlimited by my friends. 
Sincerely yours, 

Vincent Colyer, Superintendent. 



24 



Dk. Sloan's Reply 

Medical Director's Office, Department of the East, ' > 
No. 125Bleecker street, New York, June 19, 1865. S 
To Col Vincent Colyer : 

Dear Sir :— Please accept my tliaiiks Strawberries are always 
grateful and gratefully received. Do as you think best as "to 
(|uaiit]ty .'' 

I -iye you tlie number of patients in this vicinity: David's Is- 
a_nd (Dr. Webster) 1.500; McDoug-al Hospital. Fort Schuyler, 
(Dr Orton,; 900. Central Park, (Dr. Milhau,) 300. 

Yours truly, Wm. T. Sloan. 



Gratified at so favorable and hearty a response, I at once 
applied to the Pohce Commissioners for the use of their boat 
to visit Bedloe's Island, Fort Hamilton, Fort Schuyler and 
David's Island Hospitals, and distribute strawberries. Mr 
Acton put the boat at my disposal, but unfortunately she was 
not found early enough to be of use, so the regular dispatch 
boat was used. An agent was sent off with some eight or ten 
tliousand baskets of strawberries for the sick of those islands 
and the fruit was gratefully and eagerly accepted by the poor 
fellows still suffering from the effects of shot and shell. Cen- 
tral Park and other city hospitals, where soldiers were lying 
came m for their share afterwards 



Hart's Island Attended to. 

As numbers of our men were sent to the rendezvous at 
Hart's Island to be mustered out I visited the place ; and find- 
ing nearly four thousand N. Y. State troops, and learnin..- 
from Brig.-Gen. Wessels, the kind and efficient commanded, 
that fruit or vegetables would be acceptable ; I sent up 2 000 
heads of salad, 1,500 head of cabbage, five crates of turn'ips 
3,000 baskets of strawberries, and soon after received the fol- 
loA^dng letter from the General : 



25 



Headquarters Draft Rendezvous, Hart's Island, ) 
N. Y. H., Juno 23cl, 1865. j 

Col. Vincent Colyer : 

Colonel : — The General commanding directs me to acknowledge 
receipt oi your communication of 22d inst., accompanied by a do- 
mitiin of vegetables, for the use of the troops at this post. 
They have been received and equally distributed among the 
troops, as well as the vegetables and fruit previously sent. They 
were a timely and niucli needed addition to the army ration. 

I am Col., very respectfully, 

your obedient servant, 

Geo. E. Trimbley, 

A. A. A. (4. 



A clay or two after tliis, General Wessels wrote to me as 
follows : 

Hart's Island, N. Y. H. | 
June 25th, 1865. f 

Colonel : If you can add to the many ben^^lits we have lately 
received from your agency, by sending me a small supply of 
xiK-culent i\\\\\gH. Anything fresh and juicy, suitable for the sick 
1 shall be much obliged. T'his request is only for the hospital, 
(say 75 or 100 patients), and the articles will be so applied. 
If addressed to me, with a note, I will give it my attention. 
Very respectfully yours, 

W. Wessels, 

Brig.-Gen. Vols. 
Col. Colyek, 50 Howard st., N. Y. 

In response to this I again forwarded, under the care of 
Mrs. Clarkson, Miss Keiniedy, and other ladies of the Rose 
Hill Committee, 2,000 head of cabbage, 2,000 head of salad, 
12 bbls. of fresh turnips, 12 bushel baskets of cherries, 6 baskets 
currants, 8 bushel whortleberries, 4 crates raspberries, &c., 
and received the following pleasant reply : — 

Hart's Island, July I, ]8()5. 
Colonel : Your note of yesterday, with succxdents, and accom- 
panied by your fair ladies and assistants, was duly received, and 
the fruit distributed as well as we could. I am most interested in 



26 



the sick, and a;ave them a g-ood share, which the medical officer 
was very thankful to g-ct. I feel under many oblio-ations to you 
for your prompt attention to my request, and remain very truly 
yours, H. W. Wessels, Brigadier General. 



The Troops at Hart's Island. 

There were present at Hart's Island the following regimeiitH 

Fifth New York (Duryea's Zouaves), 964 men. 

Seventh regiment, 743 men. 

One Hundred and Thirty-third, 511 men. 

One Hundred and Nineteenth New York, 20S men. 

Tenth New York, detachments, 82 men. 

Thirty-ninth New York, detachments, 60 men. 

Fifty-second New York, detachments 47 men. 

Fifty-ninth New York, detachments, 29 men. 

One Hundred and Second New York, detachments 42 men. 

Sixtieth New York, detachments, 11 men. 

Eighty-eighth New York, detachments, 6 men. 

Sixty-third New York, detachments, 4 men. 



Strawberries for our Returning Soldiers. 

The N. Y. Herald thus summed up this work : 

"Withhi the past three days 10,000 baskets of strawberries and 
forty bushel baskets of cherries were distributed by the N. Y. State 
Agent among the difterent hospitals and military posts in the har- 
bor of New York. The fruit distributed in the hospitals at Fort 
Schuyler and on David's Island was placed in the hands of the 
surgeons in charge, Drs. Orton and Webster, and the aid of their 
judgment and care was carefully rendered. The Massachusetts 
and Connecticut troops on the battery were also supplied with as 
many cherries as the men could eat — twelve bushel baskets full of 
the fruit being found to be the exact capacity in the eating line of 
six bundled New England men after breakfast. Bully for New 
Enti'laud. 



Credit given to thr Governor. 

Knowing this movement would be i)opuIar, and wishing to 
give the authorities of the State whatever credit might come 



27 



from the same. I wrote the following order, and requested 
his Excellency to sign it. This was most cheerfully done, and 
it was then printed and extensively circulated : 

State of New York, ) 

Executive Department, Albany, June 9. | 

Colonel : You are directed to invite all soldiers of the Union 
army, and particularly those of tliis State, passing through the 
city of New York, on their way lujiiie, to avail themselves of thf^ 
hospitalities so liberally provided by the State and our generous 
citizens, at the State Agency in this city under your control. 

Very respectfully, 

R. E. Fenton. 



The " Police Boat," a good and commodious steamer now 
being disengaged, Mr. Superintendent Kennedy, with the 
approbation of the Police Commissioners, kindly placed her 
at my disposal, and we paid 



A Visit to the Ships and Forts op the Harbor. 

which is thus described by the editor of the N. Y. Times : 

"On Saturday an excursion party, consisting of the New York 
State Agent, Col. Vincent Colyer, and a number of ladies connected 
with the difiFerent Soldiers' Relief Associations of this city, em- 
barked upon a convenient steamboat, and made a tour of the foi'- 
titications and navy vessels lying in and about the harbour. The 
purpose of the tour was to distribute fresh vegetable and luscious 
fruit to the gallant boys who were doing duty in this vicinity. It 
is needless to say that the trip was an enjoyable one, and in every 
way a success. 

As the steamer cast loose from her dock at the foot of Whitehall 
street, the clock on Trinity steeple told the half hour after nine, 
and the sky gave steadfast promise of a brilliant day. Going 
below on the main deck of the steamer, a strange sight presented 
itself. Away forward were piled up in indescribable confusion a 
huge heap of cabbages, lettuces, radishes, beets and turnips. 
Great crates were filled to (werflowing, and the deck completely 
liidden by the accumulated mass of " garden sass." On inquiry it 
was learned that this conglomerate pile of vegetables consisted of 
4,000 heads of cabbages, 3,000 heads of lettuce, 2,000 bunches of 
radishes, 1,200 V)unches of young beets, 1,500 bunches of new tur- 
nips. Peeping from beneath the cabbages could be seen a stray 



leg oi' mutton, and if tlie visitor liad scrutiniicod he would have found 
S() quarters of lamb hid secure away from the demoralizing- eflfects 
of old Sol. Lying in the shade of the upper deck, j^et near enough 
for speedy call, were 20 large bags of green peas, and over a 
dozen barrels filled with string beans. 

Turning to go upon the hurricane deck, the eye was pleased with 
the unwonted sight of 10,000 baskets of rich strawberries, nicely 
packed in neat crates ; 20 baskets of ripe clierries, and six or seven 
bushels of whortleberries, all stored away in the cool shade. Here 
was surely enough for all, and much to spare. 

Under the awning stretched over the hurricane-deck, were seated 
the ladies composing this unique pleasure party, and looking care- 
fully over the little group, one could recognize many of the 
" working" women, who have during the war taken such a lively 
and abiding interest in the welfare, the comfort and tlie solace of 
tlie suffering soldiers, and gloried in the deeds of renown performed 
by those who have come under their loving and fostering hands. 
Among those present were Mrs. Van Denheuvel and her daughter. 
Miss Emily Morris, Miss Chapman and Miss Hale, of the New 
England Rooms ; Mrs Col. Colyer, of the Howard-street Soldiers' 
Depot ; Miss Kennedy, Mrs. Col. Ellison, Mrs. P. Mood, and Mrs. 
Henry S. Manning, Rose Hill Society ; the two Misses Buffom re- 
presented Willett's Point Hospital, and David's Island found several 
talented representatives. 



VISIT TO THE STATE OF MAINE. 

Learning that the Thirteenth New Hampshire Regiment waa 
lying in the stream, waiting for their steamer, the veteran hospital 
boat. State of Maine, to coal up and proceed with them to Boston, 
Col. Colyer determined to pay them a visit, and gladden the boys 
from the old Granite State with a supply of fruit and vegetables. 
Steaming across the mouth of the North River, the excursionists 
passed under the frowning ports of the ITnited States war steamer 
Vanderbilt. 

Nearing the State of Maine — her dirty and weather-stained sides, 
enlivened by an animated crowd of sunburnt soldiers, evidently 
wondering what was coming — our nimble deck-hands soon made 
all fast, when " the Colonel " climbed up the side, followed by the 
representatives of the press, and in a few words explained the 
nature of our friendly visit. Gladly were the offerings of fruit and 
"fixings" accepted, and hearty expressions of thanks poured in 
upon the little group of ladies who were watching with interested 
eyes the transfer of the fruits and vegcitables. Some four hundred 
baskets of strawberries, three baskt^ts of cherries, four quarters of 
lamb, two bags of peas, forty bimches of beets, two hundred bun- 
ches of radishes, one hundred and fifty bunches of turnips, three 
hundred head of cabbage, and the same of lettuce, were speedily 



hoisted over the side, accompanied by the kind wishes of the 
visitors for the veterans' safe arrival home. The boys were quite 
taken aback at the qnantity and variety of the various articles, 
and were only roused up from their wonder by the clieers of our 
little party as our steamer cast loose. The upper deck, the bul- 
warks and the rigging were soon tilled with the stalwart forms, 
who poured into us a broadside of grateful cheers, loud and long 
enough to deafen ears unaccustomed to the roar and tumult of our 
great city. 



GOVERNOR S ISLAND. 

The steamer now headed for Governor's Island, and very soon 
thereafter was quietly moored at the little stone pier at which are 
landed all supplies and visitors. The soldiers cm guard, bright in 
gleaming brass, and neat and cool in white trowsers and shining 
hats ; the beating of the guard drum, and the soft strains of the 
practising band on the parade ground, all went to make up a 
picture tliat was rare and interesting in its variety and novelty. 
The garrison consists of the Second United States Infantry, about 
200 strong, and tlie boys were very glad to see us, with our freights 
of "greens" and berries. Two crates of strawberries, 250 cab- 
bages and lettuces, and a whole lot of radishes and turnips, to- 
gether with two baskets of cherries and a barrel of peas completed 
the donation to the " Permanent Party" of Governor's Island, when 
we once again cast loose and departed, reluctantly compelled to 
decline the invitation from the officers to land and inspect the 
various institutions. 



THE TORPEDO BOAT NAUBUC. 

Scarcely had we fairly gained headway after leaving the pier at 
Governor's Island, than we found ourselves almost afoul of a queer 
looking craft — half monitor, half iron-clad, whole nondescript. 
Rounding to with a very round turn, our boat completed the tour 
of this strange vessel, and she appearing in everyway amicably 
disposed, we ventured within reach, and soon found ourselves and 
our hawser fast to a very funny piece of iron, called a " cleat " by 
one of the sailors on board tiie iron monster. A gang-plank was 
run out and the ladies handed down, one by one, being received, as 
each touched the burning iron-deck, with bluff hospitality by the 
officers. 

Wliile our men were depositing upon the deck of this 
vessel, (whose name appeared to be the Xaubuc, and whose busiue.-s 
was to plant sundry torpedoes under certain hostile vessels, now 
no longer to be found,) a lot of strawberries and other nice things 
sufficient tor the seventy men on board, the party of visitors were 



shown over and under tlie massive deck. Re-embarking, tlie 
visitors gave three cheers for tlie Naubuc, which were responded 
to with a hearty good will by the happy crew, who resumed their 
operations and pastimes. 



BEDLOE S ISLAND. 

Crossing the harbor, the steamer puslied rapidly for Bedloe's 
Island, and we were soon ashore for a brief ramble. Col. Chas. S. 
Merchant, of the regular army, received the ladies, several of whom 
had resided on the island in the days of hospitals and of battles, 
when Bedloe's Island did good service. The stay of the party 
being very short, they contended themselves with a hasty glimpse 
of the sea and of the harbor through the upper windows of the 
Colonel's fine residence. The Colonel's family was gratified by the 
visit and unremitting in attentions. The donations to the garrison 
and patients on the island consisted of 400 baskets of strawberries, 
2 baskets of cherries, 1 box of whortleberries, 2 barrels turnips, 
1 barrel beans, 4 quarters lamb, 2 bags peas, 200 head each of 
cabbage and lettuce, and 50 bunches of radishes and beets. The 
garrison consists of the Sixty-second New York Regiment, 300 
muskets, and the "permanent party," beside some 30 patients. 
Tlie hospitals are nearly all empty, and are soon to be pulled 
down. Everylliing is in admirable order, and as clean as a pin. 
Dr. Philip Adolphus, U. S. A., is in charge. 



FORT LAFAYETTE. 

Heading down the harbor our little craft was soon fairly on her 
way toward Fort Lafayette, which forbidding striicture was famous 
during the war as the prison of those wlio had committed overt 
acts of treason against the sovereign power of our government. 
Passing Staten Island, whose beautiful scenery attracted the eye 
and refreshed the senses, we kept upon the even tenor of our way, 
enjoying the cool and bracing sea breeze as it came dancing over 
tlie waves, from Sandy Hook. Saluting passing steamers with 
sin-ill whistles, waving handkerchiefs to a mail steamship just 
coming from over the Atlantic, the passengers, no doubt, glad to 
see fair land and bustling harbor once more, and taking it easy 
the while, we at last found ourselves at the dock of Fort Lafayette. 

Receiving a kind invitation to land, the plank was once more 
run out, or rather Tip, and the ladies safely piloted up the perilous 
ascent. Gaining the interior, we were escorted through the cor- 
ridor by Lieut. Smith, to the quarters of Brevet Brig.-Cxen. Burke, 
or as he is generally, known, " Col. Burke." The old gentleman 
was in a very amiable mood, and received his fair visitors in his 
casement with courtesy and grim politeness. 

The garrison consists of the Seventeenth United States Infantry, 



numbering- 162 men, and as usual with "Regulars," their appear- 
ance and dress was neat and clean. The men were greatly delight- 
ed with the donation landed upon the dock, and no doubt they en- 
joyed the treat heartily. There were 300 baskets straw- 
i)erries, 200 cabbages, 300 lettuces, 300 bunches radishes, 2 bags 
peas, 2 boxes whortleberries, 2 barrels each of turnips and string- 
beans, and 4 quarters of lamb. As the ladies were stepping on 
board again, a slip of paper was handed up by one of the soldiers, 
re'ading as follows . " Ladies — A thousand thanks for your kind- 
ness, W. S. Morgan and fellow soldiers of the Seventeenth." 



Dinner and Sea-sickness. 

We touched for a few minutes at Fort Hamilton and land- 
ed a similar lot of vegetables and fruit to that left at Fort Lafay- 
ette. Steaming across the Narrows the steamer made fast at tlie 
dock at Fort Riclimond, Staten Island, and again Col. Colyer 
landed another fine lot of cabbages, lettuce, strawberries, &c. He 
received at each place the hearty thanks of the officers for the 
kind thoughtfulness so practically displayed. 

Steamboating round and about the harbor is apt to make people 
hungry, and our ' vegetable party" were not at all different from the 
rest of man — or woman-kind. Dinner was served up on the liurri- 
cane deck, and it was astonishing to see how the edibles disappear- 
ed. Cold chicken and roast beef were favorites, and the strawberries 
came very handy. As we were now leading for Sandy Hook, the 
stiff" breeze gave a queer rocking motion to our vessel, and it was 
found difficult to keep the dinner on the rough impromptu tal)les 
rigged up for the occasion. 



Gunboat Valley City. 

Returning to the immediate vicinity of New York, and mean- 
while enjoying some cool and delicious ice-cream, our steamer laid 
alongside of the gunboat Valley City, when another large lot of 
vegetables and fruit was passed over the gang-plank On board 
this fine vessel there were some SO hardy tars, under the command 
of Acting Master J. Brooks, just returned from blockade service. 
As we parted company the boatswain's shrill whistle called the 
crew to quarters and three stirring cheers were given by them for 
the kindness displayed in furnishing them with a good Sunday's 
dinner. 



Gunboat Fort Henry. 

A short distance from the Valley City lay one of those original 
double-enders," converted by Gen. Burnside, out of ferryl>oats. 



into stout and serviceable gunboats. She carried six 9-incli guns, 
and was manned by 102 men, under Acting Lieut J. B. Baxter, 
and has seen three years' service on tlie coast as blockader. Tlie 
crew were receiving their hammocks from the nettings as we came 
alongside, and soon after were busy in filling buckets with berries, 
and piling up cabbages and other good things againt one of the 
guns. We left them amid thi'ee more thundering cheers, and 
started for the 



R. R. CUYLER, 

which fine vessel proved to be one of our most rapid blockade 
vessels. She is commanded by Commander C. H. B. Colwell, and 
carries ten thirty-two's and two thiity-pound rifled guns. The 
evening growing apace, nidde the ceremony of presentation a very 
short one. The sailors working with a will, throwing the vegeta- 
bles through the port-holes with accuracy and expedition. Nearly 
all our remaining load of stuft'was transferred to the careful hands 
of the sailors, when we cast off and started for home As our pad- 
dles backed water, the whistle again sounded and the crew throng- 
ed the decks, swarmed the rigging, and peered at us through the 
port-holes ; the flashing of the battle lanteins gave a weird aspect 
to the animated scene as the gallant tars saluted us with another 
round of stentorian cheers. 

Thus we came back to tlie city well satisfied with our delightful 
excursion, and feeling that the labors of the day were not in vain. 
No doubt the experiment will be repeated should the funds continue 
to come as formerly. 



Meanwhile the troops were rapidly pouring in — from 3,000 
to as many as 9,000 sometimes arrived in a day and passed 
through the city. To all of these I was morally committed 
to furnish fruit and delicacies, while for from 1,000 to as many 
as 5,000 a day I had to provide full rations, lodging, &c., at 
the Depot. As an illustration of this obligation I insert the 
following notice from the New York Herald : 

A Preparation and Disappointment. 

So many of our returning regiments have arrived in this city 
and left without notice that yesterday some patriotic ladies of this 
city, hearing of the expected arrival of the Ninety-first New York 
Volunteers, seven hundred stnmg, determined to give them a gen- 
erous recepticm. Large quantities of strawberries, cherries, flowers 
lemons, &c.,were purchased, and these, added to the substantial eat- 



33 



ables provided by the government at the New York State Agency, 
in Howard street, were arranged in tasteful order, awaiting the ar- 
rival of the regiment. But the ladies were disappointed. The regi- 
ment did not reach the city until after five o'clock. And although 
the ladies had been assured that if it should land after half-past 
four o'clock it would remain in the city over night — and they made 
preparations accordingly— it was hurried from pier to pier (time 
for a hasty bite of usual army fare on the Battery only being al- 
lowed), and left for Albany by a boat specially chartered for the 
purjxjse. The ladies were, of course disappointed, but they made 
the best of it by inviting the soldiers stopping at the depot to 
" fall in" and eat the dainties provided for their less fortunate 
brethren of the Ninety-first New York Volunteers. 

The Ninety-first no sooner arrived in Albany than a sharp 
censorious article animadverting severely on the way the regi- 
ment was treated in New York City appeared in the Evening 
Journal. 

To nearly all the city regiments, to all, when I had timely 
notice, I furnished a band of music, and where it was possi- 
ble an escort of one of our city regiments of National Guards. 
Cols. Varian, Mason and Lieut.-Col. Talford, had each patri- 
otically promised to escoi-t any veteran regiment returning 
from the war on twenty-four hours notice. 

A brief description, from the New York Sun, July 19, of the 
reception of one of these regiments at the Rail Road Depot, 
will give you a good idea of the character of these arrivals : 

The Regiment Arrived. 

At t\7enty minutes to one o'clock, the whistle of the train which bore the troops 
was heard in the depot, and the escort at once formed triple files on the platform 
which it was to pass. The hand then struck up with a spirited medley of patriotic 
airs, and as the locomotive swept over the depot rails, the sweet and appropriate 
tune •' Home Sweet Home," was performed, the concourse cheering vociferously, 
and the committee vainly endeavoring to keep the lines which they had formed 
for the puqjose of marching with the Regiment. 

Incidents. 

And now come the warm clasp of the hand, from the wife, the sweetheart, the 
mother, the father and the friend. The scene was affecting in the extreme- 
Here a friend was rushing forward, and grasping the hand of the returned 
sohlier, holding it like a vice. There the mother with her intiint in her arms ran 



forward and witli tears of Joy placed the cliild who had aot been, for nearly two 
years, in the arms of its father, who ere he could bestow the warm kiss which she 
waited for. on the mother, kissed his offspring again and again. One simple 
case of this kind drew tears from the eyes of many. A handsome young woman 
rushed forward with a child of some eighteen months in her arms and kissed a 
fine stout able bodied young fellow, who was somewhat bronzed with the sun. 
placed the little fellow in his arms. "Tare anages, Mary dear, what's this?" 
" Your own child. John, asthore,-' was the answer, '• yer own thit ye niver saw, 
dear ; that I had the trouble with three months afther you left me, an' I thought 
I'd never see your face again. ! thank God, thank God. for this moment. Amen."" 
The scene was touching. 15ut in the midst of it, a clear, silvery voice was heard 
at a short distance, crying the simple words, " Kate, here"s Richard." Quick as 
thought, a beautiful young girl, who had hitherto looked on with an anxious 
countenance, examining every corner with a distracted air and critical eye 
ruahed forward, and in an instant was clasped to the breast of a brave young 
soldier. '• My darleut, my own darlent."' came up in deep tones from the heart 
of the soldier, " still thrue to your own Dick ?"' Yes, an' why not was the reply,. 
'• you were thrue to our country."' These are but a sample of the incidents 
which occurred, and which drew tears from the eyes of many who witnessed the 
scene. But soon the words •♦ Fall in " were heard ^ the soldiers obeyed orders, 
and were marched on board the ferry boat, followed by their male and female 
escort, and soon all were landed in New York, where a repetition of the same 
joyful scenes took place on a larger scale, and where the ebullition of feeling 
became so great that it was checked with the greatest diflSculty. 



The Irish Brigade. 

The following correspondence occurred about this time. 
Remembering that General Nugent had recruited for the 
Hancock Corps under the auspices of the Union League 
Club, 1 was particularly desirous to entertain his brigade. 



New York State Soluiers' Depot, 
50 AND 52 Howard Street, N. Y., July '6, 1865. 



[ 



Brigadier General Robert Nugent, commanding Irish Brigade : — 

General — At twelve o'clock today I shall have room for one thousand, and 
at three o'clock this afternoon accommodation for one thousand six hundred 
men. On behalf of the authorities of the Siate of New York I desire the honor 
of entertaining the remnant of the noble brigade now under your command. I 
will seiul a fine band of music to escort you, and at three o'clock will have a 
collation on the tables for one thousand six hundred men. 

Trusting that I may have the privilege of thus welcoming you home, I am 
General, very respectfully yours, 

Vincent Colyrk, 
Agent for the State of New York. 



35 



Headquakters, First BRiGAnE. Battery Barracks, | 
New York. July 3, 18fi5. \ 

Colonel Cni.YER, State Agent, New York : — 

Colonel— I have just received your kind invitation for my brigade to attend 
a collation at Centre Market drill room, proffered by the State authorites to the 
men of my brigade. I regret exceedingly that, on account of the absence of 
most of the men and officers of the Irish Brigade, who upon its arrival, received 
permission to visit their homes until late this evening, they are unable to partake 
of the hospitality of your agency so kindly and so courteously extended on this 
occasion. Were it possible to have received your kind invitation at an earlier 
moment, I have no hesitation in saying that the men of my command would have 
very cheerfully accepted it, aad would have done ample justice to the good 
things which 1 am told the patriotic citizens of the Empire State love to place 
before the retiu'ning veterans of the war. 

Pleace except from me personally my best thanks, and through me the thanks 
of my brigade. Very respectfully, yours, 

Robert Nugent, 
Brigadier General Commanding. 



Fourth of July, 



The Fourth of July was a very busy day. Besides a fruit 
collation at the Centre Market Armory (where there were 
assembled that day all three of the Militia regiments for 
parade, and four thousand veterans), where the dinner was set 
for one thousand, there was a dinner and ice cream collation 
for eight hundred, at the Depot in Howard-street, with an 
oration in the afternoon by ElHot F. Shepherd, Esq., some 
choice music by the Union Glee Club and a fine band. 

In addition to these, thinking that the most deserving body 
of soldiers ui New York at that time, were the poor crippled 
men who, at the hospital on Central Park, were waiting for 
their artificial arms and legs, I arranged an entertainment 
especially for their edification. Engaging the City Assembly 
Rooms, Broadway ; Robertson's full band of 32 pieces ; U 
double horse omnibusses ; and better still getting the Ladies of 
the Rose Hill Committee to help me, (the Howard-street 
Ladies were busy at their own Depot,) I issued tickets for 
a select number of the true friends of the soldiers, and 
writing to the Medical Director, received the following answer : 



expression of our tender regard, our high esteem, our respect, our gratitudt; to 
you for the great service which you have rendered to the country. 

I call upon those of our friends who are gathered here, who represent the 
citizens of New York, to rise in the presence of these men, and give testimony 
to the value they set on the services which they have rendered. (Here all rose, 
three cheers were given, and the utmost enthusiasm prevailed for some minutes.) 
Dr. Adams continued : Do not think it a mere empty form, if in your presence 
we rise up to call you "blessed." We mean to make every expression of our 
gratitude and honor toward you as long as you and we shall live A blue coat 
with an empty sleeve is a claim to the honor of every citizen of the country. 
Those of us who have reached adult years recall the forms of those men who are 
associated with the early struggle for National Independence ; we followed their 
forms with respect, and while they lived showered upon them testimonials of 
our regard and esteem, until they sunk within their graves. So it will be with 
you citizen soldiers. 

In times of gloom and trouble, when clouds overhung the land, these citizens 
were accustomed to meet and give expression to their sympathy and regard for 
you. We prayed for you in our churches and at our homes. These tender ladies 
day after day were accustomed to toil for you that they might send some ex- 
pression of their solicitude for you. We thought of you in the field, on the 
march, and the bivouac. You have been remembered and you shall be cared for 
and cherished as long as you live. We congratulate you for the preservation of 
life ; we congratulate you for the service you have rendered your country ; we 
congratulate you for the scars that you bear upon your persons ; we congra- 
tulate you that you have such a subject for contemplation ; that your treasure of 
memory is stored with such memorials of suffering in a just and righteous cause, 
and for which a nation's thanks now are poured out at your feet. Who would 
not prefer to lose his right arm, and his right eye, than have two hands and two 
feet and two eyes to enter into the shame and the ignominy of that tremendous 
Rebellion in which so many have been engaged? (Applause.) Who would not 
rather tO'day be sleeping in some honored grave than to live to bear about with 
him the guilty conscience all his life of having been instrumental in raising an 
insurrection against the most just, generous and benignant government which 
the sun in the heavens ever shone upon. (Applause.) 

John Adams, when he was about to launch in the war of the Revolution, in a 
memorable letter says ; " I look through the dim cloud of battle. I look beyond 
this year of gloom, and I assure you that the time will come when this event 
will be celebrated throughout the land with the ringing of bells and the salvos 
of ariillery. 

Henceforward this time shall be celebrated among us. In this year we have 
saved national life, and passed through one of the most tremendous struggles 
recorded by the pen of history. 

You know it has been alleged by those who have been called our enemies, 
whether in this country or abroad, that the Rebellion had for its foundation the 
very same principles and rights which our fathers asserted in the immortal 
Declaration of their Independence. You and i believed no such thing. We 
believe our fathers were right in that revolution, and we also believe that those 
who attempted of late to overthrow the Government by them founded, were 
wrong, that their action was criminal and unjustifiable. (Applause.) 

Dr. Adams then adverted to the origin of government, when revolution was 
justifiable, which was when a government was perverted from its true ends. The 
British government had become an instrument of oppression in this country 
when our fathers rushed into a revolution. The American Colonies were ground 
down. Our fathers expostulated in vain, they got no relief, and tiie day at 
length came when they threw aside that Government. They appealed to the 
judgment of mankind. Their revolution was founded upon religious principles. 
As an ordinance of God the British government had been perverted, and our 
fathers went to frame one which was better. He then alluded to the unexampled 
prosperity of the country under the Government which they founded. It never 
became an engine of oppression, and to rebel against it was a crime against 
God. It never failed of its object. In proof of the excellence of this Govern- 



raent he would read the testimony of two witnesses who could not be accused of 
partiality. The first of those witnesses was a Mr. .Jefferson Davis, who said five 
years ago in the Senate of the United States : 

" This is the best Government ever instituted by man, unexceptionably administered, and 
xinder it the people have been prosperous beyond comparison with any other people whose 
career has been recorded in history." 

The next witness was Alexander H. Stephens, late Vice-President of what was 
called the Southern Confederacy. In 1861, four years ago, when the people of 
Georgia met in convention to discuss the question whether they should go '^ut 
or remain in the Union. Mr. Stephens said : 

'■ I must declare here, as I have often before, what has been repeated by the greatest and 
highest statesmen in this and other land?, that the American Government is the best, the 
purest, the most equal in its principles, the most just in its administration, the most lenient 
in its measures, the most aspiring in its aims to elevate the human race , that the sun ever 
shone upon." (Applause.) 

We inaugurated those armies and went into this great struggle for the purpose 
of saving our National life. (Applause.) The men who forced us to that issue 
risked the institution of Slavery upon one cast of the die. and they lost the 
game. (Immense applause.) Those great armies, which have been the admira- 
tion of the world, are dissolving and returning now that the 

" War drum throbs no longer 
And the battle flags are furled." 

to the avocations of peaceful citizenship. You, our wounded friends, will never, 
never be forgotten. Henceforth it will be our duty to love our country, to honor 
her Government, to conserve her institutions, and to pledge ourselves to the 
sacred cause of libei^^, honor, patriotism and truth. (Applause.) 



The band then played some patriotic airs. Tlie poet, Mr. Wm. 
Ross Wallace, was introduced by Col. Colyer. He recited, amid 
much applause, an original poem, entitled, " Washing-ton's Red, 
White and Blue." 

The Rev. Mr. King, of New York, then addressed the meeting. 
He alluded to the conclusion of the war, our magnificent destiny 
with our free institutions. He wished it were possible to-day for 
language to express the feelings of joy and pride and gratitude 
which every American cherishes for the men who have fought 
through this great war, and who have secured to us such a grand 
and g-iorious result. He alluded to our pulpit oratory some years 
ago when the people were almost persuaded that all war was un- 
justifiable. During the delivery of his discoure Mr. King was 
frequently applauded. 

At this point the soldiers were invited by the ladies to a feast of 
strawberries, ice cream, pretty smiles and other delicacies. The 
band entertained the audience meanwhile with some excellent 
music. 

About half-past four o'clock the celebration at the City Assembly 
Rooms came to a close, the poor maimed veterans driving off to 
the Central Park Hospital in omnibuses which had been engaged 
for them. 



40 

The correspondent of the Boston Post spoke of it as follows : 

"the 4th of JULY DINNER TO THE CRIPPLED VETERANS. 

Perhaps the most eflFective (as well as aifecting') portion of the 
programme was the meetinp^ held at the City Assembly Rooms 
under Colonel Colyer's auspices, where two or three hundi'cd crip- 
pled veterans were assembled to hear an address of welcome, sym- 
pathy and gratitude, from Rev. Dr. Adams, and to partake of a 
most seasonable spread of berries, cream, &c., provided by the 
ladies of one of our soldiers' aid societies. The gallant fellows were 
brought down from Central Park in a triumphal procession of om- 
nibuses, and after a first rate jollification were taken home in the 
cool of the day, as happy as bivalves at high water. Among them 
was one maimed hero whose legs had carried him through all the 
Sherman campaign, but, at the behest of a cannon ball, deserted 
him just as he thought the war had been fought out. He was car- 
ried in the arms of two comrades who appeared to be proud of the 
load they bore, and his reception at the hands (and feet) of the 
audience, although it could not put him on his pins again, certainly 
was enough to prove to him that he was among friends who knew 
how to appreciate his sacrifices for the flag." 

Union League Club. 

At the July monthly meeting of the Union Club the follow- 
ing members were appointed to co-operate in the reception of 
the troops arriving in the city : Thos. L. Dale, J. C. Cahter, 
J. S. Shultz. Geo. Bliss, Jr., Edward Cromwell. Nearly 
$900 were collected that night, and upwards of $2,000 were 
received in response to a circular addressed to the members 
by the committee. This in addition to the money collected 
by myself from the members of the Union f.ieague Club 
amounts to the handsome sum of $8,000 ; being more than 
one-half of the whole sum obtained. 

In response to this patriotic action of the Club, the 7*.)tli 
N. Y. Veteran Vols. — " Scotch Highlanders" were invited to 
a collation at the Club. Previous engagements prevented, 
but the regiment with its escort marched past the Club House 
which was handsomely draped with flags in their honor. 
Both the veterans and escort paid the Club the honor of a 
marching salute. 



On the 3ist of July, tlie One Hundred and Thirty-First and 
Forty -sixth Veterans, escorted by 1,000 policemen, and the 
Eighth National Gu ird : and the Fifty-first Veterans, escorted 
by the Thirteenth Brooklyn National Guirds : Captain Murray's 
company, Seventh National Guard : and the Captain McLeod's 
Eighty-fourth National Guard : were received at the Club 
House, and the account given by the Herald of the Ist of 
August is truthful. 

"The reception of the One Hundred and Thirty-lirst, or Metropo- 
litan regiment, and the Forty-Sixth regiuaent, New York Veteran 
Volunteers, yesterday, was a grand affair, in some respects sur- 
passing any of the numerous ovations of the kind it has been the 
pleasant duty of our citizens to give within the past few weeks. 
Both of the commands mentioned came home from the wars with 
tlyiug colors and with their records untarnished. Their flags are 
tattered and stained, and bear many an evidence of the battles 
they have waved in, and the many weary miles of country they 
have been carried over ; but they are all the more valuable for 
that, and will, in the future, form the theme of many a writer's pen 
and many a painter's pencil. Those old banners now all tattered 
and torn, could tell many a tale more pregnant of stirring incident 
by flood and field than has yet ever been told by historian or no- 
velist — for their tale would be true in every particular, and as 
strange as true. The men comprising the regiments are sturdy, 
weather-beaten and sun-bronzed fellows, who, after four years of 
hard service, are returning to the peaceful scenes, the homes and 
the children, the wives and the firesides, the friends of auld lang 
syne, to become once more citizens of New York and members of 
the communities from which they sevei'ed themselves at their 
country's call when the war began. And they are the stuff that 
good citizens are made of 

The two regiments mentioned — all that's left of them — assembled 
yesterday morning, at Centre Market Armory, at about nine o'clock, 
to be escorted through the streets to the point where the formal 
reception was to take place. The One Hundred and Thirty-first 
was accompanied by a large body of the Metropolitan Police, and 
the Forty-sixth regiment was similarly honored by the Eighth regi- 
ment of the National Guard. The police, to the number of about 
nine himdred, including the off platoons of the Brooklyn force, were 
drawn up in Mulberry street, at the front of the Police Head- 
quarters, when the veterans arrived, headed by a fidl band dis- 
coursing martial nmsic as they marched. After a little time spent 
in arranging the line, the veterans, non-veterans and their military 
and police escort, moved at about ten o'clock, in the following- 
order of procession : 



Dodsworth's Band. 
Platoon of Police from each precinct in this city and Brooklyn 
Superintendent Kennedy. 
Inspector Carpenter. 
President Acton. 
Colonel Colyer. 
Captain Copeland, commandinR. 
(iftptains Hope, Thorne, Caffry, Jemmiaon, Bnrdish Bennett and Williamson. Aids in Re- 
serve to >uperintendent Inspector. 
Captains Perry, Davis, Elman . Walling, Dixon. Greer, Jacobs, Bennett, Cameron and Woglom, 

each with their respective commands. 
One Hundred and Thirty- iirst regiment Veteran Volunteers, two companies of the Eighth re- 
giment N. G. S. N. Y. . preceded by Robertson's band of forty-six pieces. 
Band. 
Forty-sixth regiment Veteran Volunteers . 

The route taken by the imposing cortege was down Centre street, 
crossing tlie Park, in front of the City Hall, thence up Broadway 
to Fourteenth street, through Fifth Avenue to Madison square, 
around this square to Broadway, and to Union square and Seven- 
teenth street, in front of the rooms of the Union League Club, 
where a stand had been prepared and other arrangements made 
for their accommodation. 

The Police appeared very well, and marched and wheeled with 
the precision and regularity of veteran soldiers. The two regi- 
ments showed to great advantage, and were warmly and loudly 
cheered in different parts of the city throughout which they marched. 

It was just twelve o'clock when the troops arrived in the vicinity 
of the club rooms, and the march beneath the hot rays of the sun 
had given all the soldiers a keen appetite for food and a desire for 
cooling liquids, which their friends of the Club were not slow to 
gratify. 

After the disposition of the forces there was music by the band, 
after which came 

AN ADDRESS BY COLONEL COLYER. 

He said, in substance, that he was happy to meet the home returning veterans 
who. after four years' deadly strife, in the beneficence of God's providence were 
permitted once more to return to their homes. To their stalwart hands and 
brave hearts were the citizens of New York indebted for the enjoyments of the 
quiet fireside, for the victories which had followed our flag. And the people of 
the city knew and recognized these facts. They met their return with warm 
welcome. They know what they (the veterans) had undergone, the comrades 
they had lost by death, those who had been crippled and maimed for life ; but 
when they looked upon their bronzed faces and battle-stained banners, and 
raised their eves to the glorious flag which uow waved over a free and united 
country, they confessed it had all been for their exaltation and the greater glory 
of that country. In the future the poet and the historian would record their 
victories, while they would be in the enjoyment of the best offices, the highest 
honors and emoluments to be bestowed by a grateful people. Those who were 
soldiers in the time of war could, in time of peace, maintain the constitution and 
the laws of the Republic. In the name of the Governor of the State, and of the 
members of the Union League Club he welcomed them home, and prayed 
that, wherever they might go in the future, prosperity would attend them. 



Colonel Colyer was freqently and loudly applauded 
Superintendent Kennedy, Inspector Leonard and other officers 
of the police were upon the platform 

Three cheers were then given, with hearty zest, for the colonels 
of the two regiments, the Union League Club and Gov. Fenton, after 
wliich the men stacked arms and were served with lunch. The 
heat was extreme, in the centre of tlie unshaded street, but the 
veterans seemed rather to enjoy it than otherwise, and partook of 
their refreshments as though the mid- day rays of the summer sun 
were the merest monshine. Not so with the citizens present. 
They sought shelter behind friendly walls, the presence of open 
doors and casements, fans, ices, lemonades, &c., &c„ while the 
officers of the regiments went within the club rooms to partake of 
a superb collation. 



THE RETURN. 



After partaking of a plentiful collation, the same order of march 
was resumed, untd the escort reac!ied the foot of Twenty-sixth 
street, where the two veteran regiments embarked for Hart's 
Island. 

RECEPTION OF THE THE FIFTY-FIRST REGIMENT. 

The fifty-first was organized at Castle Garden by Colonel Elliott 
F Shepherd, and went out in the tall of 1861, eight hundred strong, 
under Colonel Edward Ferrero, now Major General of United States 
Volunteers. The first engagement in which this regiment parti- 
cipated was that of Roanoke Island, in which it distinguished iiself 
remarkably. The other battles were Newbern, Second Bull Run. 
Chantilly, South Mountain, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Vicksburg. 
Jackson, siege of Knoxville, and all the principal engagements in 
Grant's advance upon Richmond, sharing the honors of Sheridan's 
campaign in the Shenandoah valley and Lee's surrender, the closing 
scene of the rebellion. 

At half-past three o'clock in the afternoon the parade for the re- 
ception of the Fifty-first regiment formed at Centre Market, and 
marched in the following order : 

Broadway squad of police, under Sergeant Vonhagan. 
Thirteenth Brooklyn regiment, under Colonel Woodward, preceded by Robertson's Baud, 

forty-six pieces. 
One company of the Seventh regiment New York state National (iuard, under Captain 

Murray. 
Captain McLeod'scompany of the Eighty-fourth regiment National Guard, State of New York. 

Fifty veterans of the Fifty-flrst regiment, under Captain W. Cuflf. 
Clarriage with Major General Fen-ero, Colonel E. F. Shepherd, Captain Gardiner and Colonel 

Vincent Colyer. 
Fifty-first regiment Veteran Volunteers. 

The line of march was to Grand street. Bowery, City Hall, Broad- 
way and Union square. 



44 



A very large crowd were collected around the Club Room, in- 
deed, everywhere this regiment goes it is received with honor. 
During its march up Broad vvay, the street was filled w^ith all ages 
and sexes, who cheered lustily. Flags were flying from almost 
every house. In all resjjects, the aiiair was well managed and 
very enthusiastic. 

Having stacked arms opposite the Union League Club house, the 
men were addr(^ssed by Colonels Colyer and Shepard, after which 
a bountiful collation of sandwiches, peaches, watermelons, coifec;, 
lager beer, segars, &c., was furnished the men, while the officers 
retired within the Club House, where a handsome repast awaited 
them ; the fine band discoursing some choice music the while. 

After the luncheon, the regiments, in the cool of the evening, 
took up their line of march through Broadway, and were again 
most enthusiastically cheered by the people. 

Amount of Work done. 

Total number of men received in the six months Jur- 
which the N. Y. State Agency vv^as under my 
control 86,683 

Whole number of men since the establishment wds 

opened in May, 1863 .... 187,155 

Number of sick received in hospital in six months, 1,261 

Number of deaths in six months .... 27 

Average daily number who received medical treat- 
ment, dressing of wounds, &c. . . . 331 

The number of volumes given out to be read by 

the soldiers, . . . ... 4,258 

Cash received and locked up for safe keeping in 

the same time $178,424.23 

The number of articles donated and washed for the 

men for six months, was .... 12,858 

During the months of June and July 1 received and pro- 
vided meals', lodging and extra delicacies for 60,000 men in all : 
32,285 were New York City and State troops ; over 15,000 were 
New England soldiers and 10,000 from other States, were on 
Harts Island, and in the Hospitals, Fortitications, and on ship 
board in the harbor of New York. 

The following regiments and detachments returned fully 



45 



organized, under the care of their proper officers ; bringing 
their arms and colors with them. To most of these I furnished 
a band of music. The officers, as well as the men, were enter- 
tained and cared for from the fund : 



No. 



Date. 


Regiment. 


OF D 


ATE. 


Regiment. 


OF 






Men. 








Men. 


Juue 24 


5th New York. 


170 


16 


17 1 h 




375 


•' 24 


lOCth 


450 


17 


7yth 


'• 


374 


" 26 


115th 


300 


18 


170th 


•' 


160 


'• 27 


3d 


333 


18 


164th 


" 


220 


" 27 


5th Conn. 


32ti 


18 


6f)th 


u 


185 


•• 27 


121st New York. 


382 


18 


155th 


•' 


125 


•• 27 


1st " 


560 


19 


157th 


" 


225 


June 28 


5th New York. 


120 


20 


5th 


" Art. 


1.110 


" 29 


144th 


882 


20 


60th 


.1 


468 


^' 30 


8th 


600 


21 


65th 


(i 


870 


July 1 


73d 


390 


21 


99th 


" 


120 


"' 1 


93d 


.375 


23 


143d 


" 


275 


" 1 


10th 


520 


24 


169th 


u 


645 


" 1 


6th •' 


800 


24 


94th 


<( 


445 


" 2 


59th 


257 


24 


1st 


f' 


222 


" 3 


15th 


500 


24 


32d 


" 


275 


" 3 


1st " 


850 


25 


102d 




650 


" 3 


39th 


151 


26 


12th 


" 


500 


" 3 


5 2d 


225 


27 


51?t 


•' 


445 


•' 3 


3d 


185 


25 


46th 


•' 


300 


" 5 


91st " 


712 


29 


131st 


« 


500 


" 7 


175th " 


116 










" 8 


173d '• 


500 




Tota 


1 Regts. 


46 


" 9 


2d '• 


280 










" 16 


61st 


365 


Total 


numl)ei 


of men 


18.958 



The " Reception Fund " to provide fruit, music and oth- 
er luxuries to suitably entertain these brave men, amount- 
ed to $14,607.86, collected from the liberal citizens of New 
York City (the larger part from members of the Union League 
Club). Of which there had been expended up to A.ugust 
14th ...... $14,600 00 

Balance on hand, . . . . 7 36 



New York, August 14, 1865 

We have examined the foreg-oing accounts of receipts and ex- 
penditures of Colouel Vincent Colyer in the reception of returning 
soldiers, and also tiie V(juchers for the expenditures, and find them 
correct in ever}^ respect. 

George Bliss, Jr. 

Edward Cromwell. 



46 

ACKNOWr.EDGMENTS. 

Tlie following are a few of the acknowledgments received : 

THE ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTEENTH NEW YORK. 

At a meeting of the officers of the One Hundred and Fifteenth 
New York Volunteers, held at Albany, N. Y., on the 28tli of June, 
1865, the following resolution was unanimously adopted : — 

Resolved, That the thanks of the regiment be tendered to Colonel 
Vincent Colyer, in charge of the New York State Soldiers' Depot, 
50 and 52 Howard St , New York, and to his assistants, for the 
generous entertainment which the regiments received at their 
hands — hospitality without stint, joined with soldierly cordiality — 
that it caused us to realize the fact that we had at last reached 
Ota- great, generous Empire State, and that hei' sons who had as- 
sisted in crushing the great rebellion, had not been forgotten. 

A. J. Jones, 
Lieut. Colonel Commanding Regiment. 
N. DeGraff, Acting Adjutant. 

THE IRISH LEGION 69tH, 1 55tH, 165tH AND HOtH N. Y. 

At a meeting of the ex-officers of the Legion, the following Re- 
solution was unanimously adopted : — 

Resolved, That the thanks of this committee of ex-officers and 
friends of the Corcoran Irish Legion are due, and hereby tendered, 
to Colonel Vincent Colyer, State agent, for the marked courtesy 
and aid given this committee in preparing for, and the very hos- 
pitable collation furnished by him, upon the occasion of the recep- 
tion of the Legion this day Sparing no personal effort, he ap- 
peared only desirous of making the returned veterans feel that 
their actions in defence of the Union are fully appreciated by the 
authorities. 

THE FIRST NEW YORK VOLUNTEER ENGINEERS. 

Col. Vincent Colyer, Sup't. of New York State Soldiers' Depot, 

Colonel — Permit me to thank you for your kindness and atten- 
tion to my regiment, the First New York Volunteer Engineers. 

At the time we arrived in New York you were greatly pressed 
with numbers of returned troops, yet you seemed to bring order 
out of chaos, and your unifox'jn kindness won the admiration and 
a:ratitude of all. 



Your institution is a noble one, and you have produced results 
from it which ought to satisfy the most exacting-, and in behalf of 
my regiment, and for myself, I thank you, and through you the 
founders and supporters of the Soldiers' Depot. 

I am, very truly, &c., respectfully. 

Your ob't. servant, James F. Hall. 
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S., Com. First N. Y. Volunteer Engineers. 

THE TENTH REGIMENT VET. VOI^S. 

At a recent meeting of the officers of the Tenth New York Vo- 
lunteer regiment, the following preamble and resolutions were 
unanimously adopted : — 

Whereas, On the arrival of our regiment on the 1st day of July, 
1865, at the city of New York, we were entertained and kindly 
cared for at the Soldiers' Depot, under the direction of Colonel 
Vincent Colyer, having been furnished with refreshments, music, 
&c., and the same courtesy having been extended to us on the 3d 
day of July, when we embarked for Hart's Island. 

Resolved, That we do tender Col. Vincent Colyer our heartfelt 
thanks for the many acts of kindness and courtesy he has extended 
to us. We do assure him that our reception, after four years of 
hard service in the field, was most gratifying to our feelings. May 
the noble institution, whose head he is, continue to prosper in well 
doing, and he may rest assured that every battle-worn and footsore 
soldier who partakes of his hospitality will thank and bless him 
evermore. 

Geo. F. Hopper, Lieut.-Col. Tenth Vet. Vols. 

Chas. W. Cowtan, Brevet Captain and Adjutant. 



THE ninety-fourth REGIMENT VET. VOLS. 

Albany, N. Y., July 26th, 1865. 
Col. Vincent Colyer, Nos. 50 and 52 Howard St., 

New York. 
Colonel : On behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Ninety- 
fourth Regt. New York Veteran Volunteers, I desire to tender to 
you my earnest and grateful thanks, for the generous reception 
extended by you to the Ninety-fourth on the 22nd inst. 

The bountiful refreshments provided by your kindness were ren- 
dered peculiarly welcome and acceptable by the kindly and earnest 
manner in which they were offered, and you can rest assured that 
the officers and soldiers of the Ninety-fourth will never forget 
Colonel Colyer and the noble institution over which he so capably 
presides. I remain. Colonel, with much esteem, 

Your obedient servant, 

Adrian Root, 
Col. and Brevet Maj. Gen. 



48 



Removal from Office. 

The work had gone on thus successfully and was approach- 
ing- completion, (there were some twenty or more N. Y. State 
regiments yet to arrive,) when, on the 1st of September, 
I was summoned to Albany and there received from his Ex- 
cellency without the slightest previous intimation, a letter, of 
which the following is a copy : 

Executive Chamber, Albany, Aug. 31, 1865. 

Col. Vincent Colter, Supt. N. Y. State Soldiers' Depot : 

In view of the fact that the war has been successfully terminated 
and the necessities growing out of the same have become greatly 
lessened, and that there must be a corresponding reduction of em- 
ployes as well as expenses, I have come to the conclusion that I 
shall not require your services in connection with the New York 
Soldiers' Depot beyond the date of the receipt of this communica- 
tion. 

You will therefore immediately turn over to J. L. Prevost, Cor- 
responding Secretary of the Depot, who will act as temporary 
superinteudent, all property of every description in your possession 
belonging or loaned to the State, accompanied with invoice, ex- 
cepting such medical stores as may have been received by the 
surgeon, and for which he is responsible, taking his receipt there- 
for in duplicate, one copy of Which will be returned to the Quarter- 
master-General's office. You will also turn over to him all orders. 
instructi(jns, official papers, memorandas or money, or valuables 
belonging to soldiers, which may have come into your possession 
as superintendent of the depot. In case there are any outstanding 
bills which you have not paid, or any orders given by you to any 
parties, you will report the same to the Quartermaster-General, or 
if there are any unpaid bills and no orders have been given, you 
will report tiie fact. In compliance with previous instructions, 
you will also report to me the amount of voluntary subscriptions 
received and disbursed by you since your appointment. You will 
be paid for your services up to and including the 5th day of Sep- 
tember, 1865. 

In closing your official connection, which is not caused by any 
dissatisfaction with the discharge of your official duties, nor by 
any lack of confidence in your zeal and integrity, 1 take occasion 
to express my thanks for the energy displayed in. y^roviding i'or 
returning soldiers, and your successful effort to afford special 
relief 

Yours, very truly, 

R. K. Fenton. 



49 



Lest I should be accused of holding- back anything which 
ma}^ explain the cause of my sudden removal, I add the fol- 
lowing correspondence. The " previous instructions" refered 
to were as follows : 

State of New York, Executive Department, 
Albany, June 30. 

Dear Sir, I am desirous of reducing tlie disbursement of the 
fund put into my hands for the relief of soldiers, to a more com- 
plete system, and one more in accordance with that which governs 
the disbursements of otlier funds, both for my own convenience and 
your protection. 

As the Quartermaster-General has charge of a large amount of the 
military funds, and his office is near yours, I have thought best to make 
him the guardian of these moneys also, and apply the system of 
accounts used in his office in the disbursment of other funds. 

You will, therefore, hereafter make written requisitions upon 
him for all articles needed, and confer with him in relation to all 
matters (jf expenditure. In making unusual or extraordinary re- 
quisitions, you will file the reasons and necessity therefore in 
writing, when, if the Quartermaster General shall disapprove the 
application, he will forward the same to me, with your statement 
for final action 

You will also make a monthly statement of the property on hand, 
belonging both to the State of New York and the United States ; also 
an account of all moneys and property received from every souix-e, 
stating from whom received, on what account, and how disbursed. 

In case you desire any increase in yuur working force, or at any 
time deem it economy to diminish it, or desire to make any changes 
among the employees, you will report the facts to me at once, and 
in case a change is made, you will report the same to the Quarter- 
master-General, so that he may at all times have in his office a 
complete roll of the employees of the Depot." 

Verji truly, yours, R. E. Fenton. 

Col. Vincent Colyer, Superintendent, &c., 



This letter had been read to me a month before by his Ex- 
cellency, and at that time was accompanied by the declaration 
from the Quartermaster-General " that he intended to place a 
desk in the Soldier's Depot and maks it his down-town office." 
As the General had already, on the first day of ni}^ appoint- 
ment, taken the control of the transportation of soldiers 
(which was allowed my predecessor) out of my hands, plac- 
ing a clerk of his own selecting in the position, I protested 
to his Excellency against this order, as virtually making Gen. 
Merritt superintendent of the Depot. 



50 



[f Soon after it was received I visited Albany and in an inter- 
view with his Excellency he so tar modified the order as to al- 
low me " discretion" as to when and what for, I should " make 
requisition on the Quartertermaster-General for supplies, &c.," 
and also, so as to not require me to submit my accounts of 
moneys received from the " Reception Fund" to the General. 
I reported the result of the interview with the Governor to Gen. 
Merritt. On August 5th I received the following letter : 

State of New Yobk, Quartermaster's Department, 
Albany, August 5, 1865. 

Sir, I wish to formally call your attention to the fact of your 
non-compliance with the instructions addressed to you by his Ex- 
cellency Governor Fenton, dated June 30th, 1865, a copy of which 
was forwarded to me by the Governor, July 1st, 1865. 

I have delayed thus calling your attention to the subject in 
writing, hoping that you would comply with the letter and spirit 
of the instructions without my doing so ; with a single exception 
(and that in the present month), I have not been consulted in 
reference to incurring of any expenses since the date of those in- 
structions. I have received no report of employees, or changes in 
them, nor return of property, showing the amount on hand as re- 
quired. I have this day mailed a copy to Governor Fenton, of 
this letter, to the end that he may take such action as he may 
deem proper either to enforce compliance with his instructions, or 
revoke the same, thereby relieving me from any seeming control of 
the subject mentioned in said letter of instructions. 

The latter course would please me, but as an officer, I shall (so 
long as I remain one) obey such lawful orders as I may receive. 
Very respectfully, &c., E. A. Merritt, 

Quartermaster-General, State of New York. 

This was succeeded by the following letter from Albany : 

State of New York, Executive Department, 
Albany, August 8. 

Colonel : I received from Quartermaster-General Merritt a copy 
of a letter addressed to you, dated August 5th. I hope you have 
not inferred from anything I have said that I do not expect com- 
pliance with my letter of instructions of June 20th. 

It is probable that exact compliance with the letter may be 
very inconvenient, and I do not doubt but that General Merritt 
would of himself make all proper allowance for non-compliance or 
failure in exigent cases ; but the letter was intended for your and 
his direction, and the spirit should be faithfully observed and 
followed. Very respectfully, 

CoL. Vincent Colyer, R. E. Fenton. 



And then came my removal from office. 



61 



DONATIONS. 



Hancock Recruiting Com , $3,154 87 
Grocers War Fund Committee 2,822 00 
U. S. Sanitary Commission, 2,000 00 
Thanlvsgiving Dinner Commit- 
tee of the Union League Club 645 42 
U. S. Christian Commission, 500 00 
James Lennox, . . . 250 00 
Mechanics' Society, . . 200 00 

Soldiers, Rest, per Geo. Bliss, 

Treasurer, - - - 180 00 

Miss Hone. ... 108 07 

Thos. A. Vyse, Jr., . . 100 00 
Rose Hill Ladies' Committee, 100 00 
Grinnell, Minturn & Co., . 100 00 

E. D. Morgan, . . .100 00 
George W. Blunt, . . 100 00 

W. R. Vermilye, . . 100 00 

Rose Hill Ladies' Com. (ad'tl.) 100 00 
Thomas Barron, . . . 100 00 
R. L. & A. Stuart, . . .100 00 
H. W. T. Mali, ... 100 00 
Union League Club, Cash, 94 50 

Edward Walker, . . . 75 00 

C. V. S. Roosevelt, . . 75 00 
Chas. H. Marshall, . . 75 00 
Mrs. C. A. Zabriskie, . 70 00 
J. A. Roosevelt, . . 55 00 
Jackson S. Schultz, . . 50 00 
Henry A. Burr, . . , 50 00 
James L. Morgan, . . 50 00 

D. Devlin & Co., . . . 50 00 
John D. Lawson, . . 50 00 
Oliver Carpenter & Co., . 50 00 
Elliott C. Cowdin, . . 50 00 
Andrews. Giles, Sandford & Co. 50 00 
T. Mattlack Cheeseman, . 50 00 
Phelps, Dodge & Co., . . 50 00 
Skeel & Reynolds, . . 50 00 

E. L. BoUis, . . . . 50 00 
Thomas Christy, . . 50 00 

$11,954 86 



Brought forward, 
Howard Potter, . 
Goddard & Bro., 
Samuel Willetts, . 
Theodore Roosevelt, . 
J. Jewett & Sons, . 
Frotbingham & Baylis, 
Wm. H. Perry, 
J. Cabot Ward, . 
James Rodgers, . 
Soleliac Freres, 
Lispenard Stewart, 
Unknown . 
Williams & Guion, 
Strang & Adriance, . 
Brewster Bros., 
Shethar & Nichols, . 
Samuel Wetmore, , 
Thos. J. Owen, . * . 
Thos. H. Maghee. . 
Horace Gray. . 
Alex. Van Rensseller, . 
A. W. Spies, . . 
R. W. Weston, . 
Saltsman, Jacob &'Co., 
Goodyear's I. R. Glove Co, 
Daniel Huntington, 



T. Mattlack Cheeseman, (add'nl) 25 00 



Colonel T.B. VanBuren, 
D. G. Bacon, 
J. A. Graham, 
Otis D. Swan, . 
G. S. Beekman, 
W. W. Bowne, . 
J C. Carter, . 
George Palen, . 
Burdett, Jones & Co., 
Timothy G. Churchill, 
Emerson Coleman, 
James Kelly, 



$11,954 86 
50 00 
50 00 
50 00 
50 00 
50 00 
50 00 
29 00 
25 00 
25 0) 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 



25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 
25 00 

$13,083 86 





52 




Brought forward, 


$13,083 86 


Brought forward, 


$14,108 86 


Thos. N. Dale, . 


25 00 


II. C. Lownes, 


10 00 


E. F. Shepanl, . 


25 00 


Francis & Loutrel, . 


10 00 


W. Allen Butler, . 


25 00 


Loder Bros & Co., 


10 00 


H. D. Harris, . 


25 00 


Arthur Leary, . 


10 00 


Rice. Chage & Co.. 


25 00 


G. C. Halstead, . 


10 00 


W. K. Strong, . 


25 00 


Cash "Gen. Jackson," 


10 00 


J. E. Williams, . 


25 00 


Chas. P. Kirkland, 


10 00 


J. Q. Jones. 


25 00 


Chas. G. Judson, 


10 00 


Thomas Mm-phy, . 


25 00 


Doct. L. F. Warner, . 


10 00 


Chas. E. Butler. . 


25 00 


Camp, Brunsen& Sherry, . 


10 00 


Ogden Haggerty, 


25 00 


R. J. Randolph, . 


10 00 


Peter Cooper, 


25 00 


S. J. Tobias. . 


10 00 


E. W. Coleman & Co., 


25 00 


G. A. Jarvis, 


10 00 


Alfred N. Lawrence, 


25 00 


W. H. Wisner, . 


10 00 


Henry Weston, . 


25 00 


T.J.Smith, . 


10 00 


Lucius Tuckerman, 


25 00 


W. C. Martin, . 


10 00 


Robt. Lennox Kennedy, 


25 00 


R. J. Brunner, 


10 00 


Charles A. Talbot, 


25 00 


S. D. Wickes, . 


10 00 


John A. King, . 


25 00 


Wm. Tucker, . 


10 00 


Edmund C. Owen, 


25 00 


Slote & Janes, . 


10 00 


Wm. Laimbeer, Jr., . 


25 00 


D. Moffatt, . 


. 10 00 


Franklin H. Delano, 


25 00 


Member of Union League 




Horace Brookes, 


25 00 


(G. W. B.). . 


10 00 


George N. Noyes, . 


25 00 


Thos. C. Cardavogne, . 


10 00 


Samuel French, 


25 00 


Lawson Brothers, 


8 00 


W. E. Case, 


25 00 


Cash (Stranger) 


6 00 


J. W. Lester, 


25 00 


M. D., L. D., J. G., & T. Voorhis, 6 00 | 


Bass & r;iark, . 


. 25 00 


Benedict Bros. , 


5 00 


S. 0. Baker, . 


25 00 


J. W. G., 


5 00 


Albert Mathews, . 


25 00 


Miss C. Lawson, 


5 00 


James W. Beekraan, . 


25 00 


•John C. Martin, . 


5 00 


John 0. Stone, 


20 00 


John J. ChaiTuaud. . 


5 00 


James Cassidy, 


20 00 


James Brian, 


5 00 


Elliott F. Sheppard. ( addit'nal.) 20 00 


Thomas Wheen, 


5 00 


Cash, .... 


20 00 


Smith & Hall, 


5 00 


Easton & Co., . 


20 00 


Lyon Bros., 


5 00 


A. G. Ockershaussen, . 


. 20 00 


W. H. Smith. 


5 00 


W. A. Walker, . 


20 00 


Geo. W. Piatt, . 


5 00 


S. Draper. 


20 00 


Geo. C. Peters, . 


5 00 


C. D. Van Wagener, . 


. 20 00 


E. Higgins & Co., 


5 00 


G.P.Putnam, . 


15 00 


James J. Smith, . 


5 00 


Kemp, Day & Co., 


15 00 


C. D. & Co., . 


5 00 


C. E. C. K., . 


10 00 


Miss Bunting, 


5 00 


W. D. Mangam, . 


10 00 


Friend 


5 00 


Ed. Cromwell, 


10 00 


John Fowler. 


5 00 


H. C, 


10 00 


Cash, ..... 


5 00 




$14,108 86 




$14,453 86 



53 



Brought forward, 
Cash, 

R. C. Melow, . 
M. M. Martin, 
Ezra White, 
Henry Beekman, . 
I. H. T., . 
Tarry town, . 
J. J. Jones, 
M. Pinchbeck, 
J. Ashcroft, 
Cash, 

J. L. Laight 
E. W., additional, . 
Cash (Lady) 
Capt. I. S. King, . 
W.H.& C.Bali. 
Cash, 
Cash,. 

George Douglas, . 
R. Burkhalter, . 
Chas. Herrick, 
Oriental, 
Louis & T. M. C, Jr.. 



$14,453 8f; 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 GO 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


5 00 


4 00 


4 00 


$14.5()6 86 



Brought forward, 
L. D. Buckley, . 
A. Hayes, 
A. Wayte.. 
Mr. McBride, 
M. M.L, ofCatskill, 
T. & H.. 
Cash,. 
J.Morrison, 
Cash. . 
Wm. Doane. . 
Cash, . 
L. Schaffner, 
Jones, 

C. Mangels, . 
F. Guiji. . 
Ward McLean, 
Cash, . 

E. Devoe, 

W. B. Whitman, 

J. M., . . . 

D. C. Silleck, 
D. Morrison, 
Cash, . 
Cash, . 



Total received, 

There has been expended up to date of August 14, 1865, 

Leaving a balance of 



$14,566 86 
3 00 
3 00 
3 00 
2 50 
2 00 
2 00 
2 00 
2 00 
2 00 
2 00 
2 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 
1 00 

$14,605 36 
14,600 00 

$5 36 



For the Reception of the 20th Regt. U. S. CoLOREn Troops 



A. P. Mann, 


$10 00 


Brought forward. 


: $67 00 


John D. Lawson, 


10 00 


W. W. Wisner, . 


5 00 


G. C. Ward, . 


10 00 


G. L. Noyes. 


5 00 


C. D. Van Wagener, 


10 00 


C.Clark 


5 00 


Ezra White, . . 


7 00 


T. M. Halstead. . 


5 00 


E. W 


5 00 


Jas Kelly, 


5 00 


J. T. Lord, . . 


5 00 


R. Warren, . 


4 00 


R. Butler, 


5 00 


G. P. Putnam, . 


2 00 


Charles Collins, 


5 00 







$67 00 



Total, 



$98 00 



54 




Donations to S 


oLDiERs' Widow. 




Small Sums, ... S78 75 


Brought forward 


$284 13 


Friends, through G. \V. B. . 50 00 


Friend to the Soldier. 


3 00 


0. V. S. Rosevelt, . . 10 00 


Redding, 


3 00 


S. A. Rosevelt, . . . 10 00 


Mrs. AVeed, 


2 00 


M. L., . . . . 10 00 


Nellie's free work money. 


2 00 


Mrs. J. Owen, . . . 10 00 


" Mite," Brooklyn, . 


2 00 


Daughter of an officer killed in 


G, C W 


2 00 


battle, . . . . 10 00 


Blank, . . . . 


2 00 


South Street, . . . 10 00 


Monogrun, J. C, H,, 


2 00 


F. W. Ballard, ... 10 00 


Stranger, . . . . 


2 00 


Cash 7 00 


C. B 


2 00 


Cash 5 00 


Anon, . . . . 


2 00 


Richard Warren, ... 5 00 


S, R., 


2 00 


George Keys, ... 5 00 


H. P, Smith, 


2 00 


Friend to Orphans and Widows, 5 00 


Mrs. E. Minkle, 


1 50 


Mr. Boyd, .... 5 00 


M, A. Ruland, , 


1 00 


Alpha 5 00 


Mrs. Baker, 


1 00 


Miss Tracy, .... 5 00 


No name. 


1 00 


C. B., ... 5 00 


Peter Neal, . . 


1 00 


G. W. Van Siclen, . . 5 00 


Mrs. Newell, 


1 00 


Brown & Powers, . . 5 00 


Mrs. Sears, 


1 00 


•J. T. P., . . 5 00 


A Friend, 


1 00 


Edge Hill, ... 5 00 


Mrs. Rogers, clothing. 




Mr. G. .... 5 00 


Ed. J. W. Jacksonville, . 


1 00 


From a Lady,. . . 4 00 


Cash, .... 


1 00 


B. Travis & Co , . . 3 28 


Unknown, 


2 00 


Annie Walter and Helen Jennings 3 10 


Stranger, . . . . 


75 


Young man, . , . . 3 00 


George E. Hogg, 
Total, 


25 

$324 63 


$284 13 


From the IJ. S. San 


ITARY Commission. 




9 cases, 1,155 Flannel Shirts, 1921 25 


Broutjht forward. 


$6,751 75 


4 " 1,073 Cotton Hospi- 


1 bundle 25 prs. Pants, 


sky 


tal Shirts, . . . 1609 60 


blue, . . . , 


, 58 25 


4 cases, 697 pr. Flan. Dr'wrs 1080 35 
3 " 727 Cotton Convalescent 
Shirts, .... 908 75 

cases, 865 prs. Wool Socks, 645 75 
169 prs. Canton Flan. Drawers 211 25 

1 case 892 Handkerchifs, . 133 80 
1 " 104 doz. papers mild 

Smoking Tobacco, , . 93 60 


171 pair Slippers, 

12 Dressing Gowns. . 

1 bbl. 40 gal's Pickles, 

1 box Lemons, . 

1 case, 1 doz. Brandy, . 

1 " 2 " Blackberry 
dial, .... 


53 10 
30 00 
20 00 
18 00 

. 15 00 
Cor- 

. 12 00 


1 case, 300 prs. Cotton Socks, 75 00 


I barrel Lint, , . 


10 00 


1 bundle 25 Blouses, . . 72 50 


1 case, 1 doz. Whiskey. 
Total 


10 00 


$6,751 75 


$6,978 10 



55 



Donors of Mourning Drapery. 



Hoover & Stone. 

Hurd & Houghton, 451 Broadway. 
George Clapp, 69 Walker street. 
Tomlinson Demarest Com y., 620 Bd'y. 
Adams & Cone, 684 Broadway. 
H. L. Samek, 690 

Eagle Gas Stove Corap'y, 474 Bd'y. 
New York Mutual Life Ins. Co. 
Wicks, Smith & Co., 81 & 83 Frank'n st. 
Gaston & Stowell, 23 Murray St. 
Oakley & Mason, 21 '• 

Bell, Wheelock & Co., 19 " 
Newell, Bros., 15 •■ 

Lawton & White, 11 
Willson, Gibson & Co., 78 & 80 Bd'y. 
Shethar & Nicols, 263 Canal street. 
Tracy, Irwin &Co., 400 Broadway. 
Sawyer & Judson, 86 Chambers street. 
Miller & Co.. 9 Maiden Lane. 
Jas. McCombie, 11 Water street. 
John Wilson & Son. 31 Maiden Lane. 
C. H. Lillienthal 122 Chambers street. 
Brice & Co., 118 Chambers street. 
Bostwick, 65 & 67 Worth street. 
Hicks & Pupke, 398 Broadway. 
Fred. S. Cozzens, 73 Warren street. 

62 Wall street. 

R. M. Cooley, 88 " 

Mrs. Hubble, 75 East 23d street. 
James Van Anthourp, 41 East 12th st. 
Sullivan, Randolph&Budd, 36 P'k Pl'c. 
Dunning. Tooker & Co., 94 Chamber st. 
Knapp & Sniffen, 202 Broadway. 
Messrs L. Maillard & Co., 10 Barclay st. 
J. it L. Coddington, 715 Broadway. 
McKim Brothers & Co., 62 Wall street. 
Andrews, Leit& Barrett, 20 Murray st. 
Lorenze, Crofts & Co., 87 Chamber st. 

104, 2d Avenue. 

Police headquarters, 300 Mulberry st. 
National Exchange, 191 Broadway. 
T. T. Merwin, North Am. Life Ins. Co., 
63 William street. 



N. Y. Club, 1 East 15th street. 

White. Sheffield & Co.. 63 Beekman st. 

Wright, Brinkerhofif & Co., 324 B'way. 

J. Dalrymple, 841 Broadway. 

Miss E. Roney, 638 

Messrs. Harms & Weichmann, 310 Jid'y. 

Mrs. G. B. Grinnell. Washington 

Heights, N. Y'. 
S. M. Wright, 463 East Houston street. 
Bass & Clark, corner Washington and 

Warren streets. 
Saving's Bank, 130 Bowery. 
Bank of America, Wall street. 
Arctic Fire Ins. Co., AVall street. 
Ward School, No. 33, 20th Ward. 
Martin &Lawson, 301 Broadway. 
Davis Collamore & Co., 479 Broadway. 
Athenffinm Club, 23 Union Square. 
4th Ass. Reform Presbyterian Church , 

corner Houston & Thompson st's. 
Messrs. Browne. Pangborne & Co., 86 

Leonard street. 
W. W. Raymond, 348 Pearl street. 
J. Simmons, ship yard, foot of 12th st, 

East River. 
Miss Hannah Burt, 17 Lafayette Place. 
Kimbell. 42 W. 22d street. 
Mr. Cromelin. 219 W. 14th street. 
J. D. Lawson, 48 10th street. 
Michigan Central R. R. Office, corner 

Broadway & Courtland street. 
Rev. Morgan Dix, Trinity Church, 50 

Varick street. 
Clinton Gilbert, Treasurer Greenwich 

Savings Bank, 73 Sixth Avenue. 
Mrs. L. Stuart, No. 6 5th Avenue. 
Clerks and Book Keepers Department, 

Custom House, N. Y. 

Herring, 257 Broadway. 

Shook & Morgan, 112 Warren street. 

Willy Wallack, 43 John street. 

■'N. Y". Times,"' 3 bundles. 

Mount Washington Presbyt'n Church 
Tul»by Hook. 



k' 



56 



OriiKi! Donations. 

Cash- R. W. Huhbanl. 100 00 I Preserves from Mrs. V. Colyer. 

Jaiiit's A. Koosovolt. 50 00 1 Preserves and Books from Mrs. Rich'd 

Dr E. Lee Jones, . . 10 OK M. Hnnt. 

Mrs. Rioh'd Hnnt, lot Magazines and Gift of Books from Master Revel R. 

Te.staments, 4!l W. 35tli street. j France, for the Soldiers. 

Valuable Books from Mrs. James A. 5 Bundles of Books from Master Rob't 

Roosevi'lt. Home. 

IL- F. Ha\ iland, paekage of Harper's ' Large Donation of Books, Tracts, &c. 

i from I'. S. Christian Couuni.ssion. 



Sincerely thanking his Excellency for the privilege of 
tlms caring for and welcoming home these brave men ; and to 
my friends of the Union League Club, and others, who honor- 
ed me with their confidence in first pressing my appointment, 
and then giving me the me ins to make it of value to the sol- 
diers ; and remembering with gratitude, the cordial co-opera- 
tion of the Editors and Reporters of the Press ; the Officers of 
the Army, in the Medical, Quartermaster's, Provost Marshal's 
offices and Headq'trs of the Department of the East ; the U. S. 
Siinitary and Cliristian Commissions ; the Ladies of the Home 
in Howard street, the Rose Hill Committee, Willet's Point, 
and otiiers ; and never forgetting that the success which has 
attended this humble work, like every thing else connected 
with tlie war, is due altogether to a gracious God. 

I remain truly and respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ViNCPJNT COLYER 



r 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



014 220 326 1 O 



